The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. (ASN: 0-139726), United States Army, for gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 1944, while serving as a commander in the 4th Infantry Division in France. After two verbal requests to accompany the leading assault elements in the Normandy invasion had been denied, Brigadier General Roosevelt’s written request for this mission was approved and he landed with the first wave of the forces assaulting the enemy-held beaches. He repeatedly led groups from the beach, over the seawall and established them inland. His valor, courage, and presence in the very front of the attack and his complete unconcern at being under heavy fire inspired the troops to heights of enthusiasm and self-sacrifice. Although the enemy had the beach under constant direct fire, Brigadier General Roosevelt moved from one locality to another, rallying men around him, directed and personally led them against the enemy. Under his seasoned, precise, calm, and unfaltering leadership, assault troops reduced beach strong points and rapidly moved inland with minimum casualties. He thus contributed substantially to the successful establishment of the beachhead in France.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)Regiment:
26th Infantry RegimentDivision:
1st Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
World War I
War Department, General Orders No. 2 (1927)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. (ASN: 0-139726), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Battalion and Regimental Commander, 26th Infantry, Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt displayed consistent gallantry, conspicuous energy, and marked efficiency in the operations around Cantigny, Soissons, and during the Meuse-Argonne offensive. By his devotion to duty, pronounced tactical ability, and brilliant qualities of leadership he contributed materially to the success of his regiment and of the 1st Division. He rendered services of signal worth to the Government in a position of great responsibility at a time of gravest importance.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Major (Infantry)Regiment:
26th Infantry RegimentDivision:
1st Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
May 28 & July 19, 1918
War Department, General Orders No. 10 (1920)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Infantry) Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. (ASN: 0-139726), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action serving with the 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Cantigny, France, 28 May 1918. After the completion of a raid Major Roosevelt exposed himself to intense machine-gun, rifle, and grenade fire while he went forward and assisted in rescuing a wounded member of the raiding party. At Soissons, France, 19 July 1918, he personally led the assault companies of his battalion, and although wounded in the knee he refused to be evacuated until carried off the field.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Brigadier GeneralDivision:
1st Infantry DivisionAction Date:
November 17, 1942 – August 17, 1943
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. (ASN: 0-139726), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Commander of the 1st Infantry Division from 15 December 1942 to 17 August 1943. His able training of 1st Division troops, his inspiring leadership of them in combat, and his continual personal example of absolute fearlessness and determination, were outstanding factors in the superb battle conduct and accomplishments of his organization. In conjunction with the Tunisian Campaign, he successfully led a combined French force of three thousand men in the defense of a critical sector. On numerous similar occasions, his efforts constituted an important element in the success of Allied arms in Tunisia and Sicily. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Roosevelt and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Brigadier GeneralDivision:
1st Infantry DivisionAction Date:
March 23, 1943
Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 35 (July 31, 1943)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star to Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. (ASN: 0-139726), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division at El Guettar, Tunisia, 23 March 1943. During the Division’s initial assault operations General Roosevelt, displaying exceptional tactical judgment, planned and led the attack of a reinforced combat team. Although constantly harassed by heavy enemy machine gun and small arms fire, General Roosevelt preceded his team’s assault waves into battle. This example of unflinching courage was a source of great confidence to his men in his leadership and enabled them to quickly attain their objective. General Roosevelt’s gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Brigadier GeneralDivision:
1st Infantry DivisionAction Date:
March 22, 1943
Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 13 (April 5, 1943)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. (ASN: 0-139726), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 1st Infantry Division at El Guettar, Tunisia, 22 March 1943. When enemy forces began a savage counterattack on our positions, General Roosevelt proceeded immediately to a forward observation post subjected to particularly intense enemy artillery fire, strafing, and furious dive-bombing, returning to the Division Command Post only when the enemy threat had been dispelled. His personal observations were of great value to this command, and his cheerful zeal, aggressive energy and great personal courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
MajorRegiment:
26th Infantry RegimentDivision:
1st Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
1918
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. (ASN: 0-139726), United States Army, for gallantry in action during the operations against Mouzon and Sedan in 1918.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
MajorRegiment:
26th Infantry RegimentDivision:
1st Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
May 27 – 31, 1918
Headquarters, 1st Division, A.E.F., General Orders No. 29 (June 22, 1918)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. (ASN: 0-139726), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 26th Infantry, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action during the operations connected with the capture and defense of Cantigny, France, 27 to 31 May 1918. Major Roosevelt during an enemy raid, displayed high qualities of courage and leadership in going forward to supervise in person the action of one of the companies of his battalion which had been attacked; on the day of our attack upon Cantigny, although gassed in the lungs and gassed in the eyes to blindness, Major Roosevelt refused to be evacuated and retained command of his battalion, under heavy bombardment, throughout the engagement.