WWII uncovered: Honoring the Heroes of World War II: Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jr.

 🇺🇲WWII uncovered: Honoring the Heroes of World War II: Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jr.

Brigadier General Roosevelt was the only General on D-Day to land by sea with the first wave of troops. 

Landing at Utah Beach, Roosevelt then 56, was the oldest man in the invasion and the only one whose son also landed that day. 

Captain Quentin Roosevelt II, who served with the 1st Infantry Division, was among the first wave of soldiers at Omaha Beach. 

Roosevelt was originally recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross by General Barton for his actions on D-Day. 

The recommendation was upgraded to the Medal of Honor, which was approved, and which Roosevelt was posthumously awarded on September 21, 1944.

 The Medal of Honor was presented to his wife, Eleanor Butler Roosevelt by General George Marshall, U.S. Army Chief of Staff; General Henry H. 

Arnold, commanding U.S. Army Air Forces; British Field Marshal Sir John Dill and Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson 

Brigadier General Roosevelt's Medal of Honor citation reads its follows:

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.

Theodore Roosevelt Jr died of a heart attack on July 12, 1944 in Méautis, France. 

He lies in rest at Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. Lest We Forget.