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In the Rough Rider's Shadow: The Story of a War Hero -- Theodore Roosevelt Jr.
Here is the extraordinary true story of Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt Jr., the son of a president who refused to languish in his father’s shadow.
During World War I, Ted (as he was known) was the youngest American regimental commander to see combat. After the war, he returned to civilian life and founded the American Legion, as well as receiving a succession of important presidential-political appointments, including secretary of the navy, governor of Puerto Rico, and governor general of the Philippines. Early in 1941, Ted petitioned the army to return him to active duty. In April of that year, despite his advanced years, poor eyesight, weak heart, and arthritis so bad he had to use a cane, Colonel Roosevelt was back in uniform. Promoted to brigadier general, Ted fought with the 1st Infantry Division and served with distinction in North Africa and Sicily.
At Normandy, General Roosevelt was the oldest American and only general to land with the first wave on Utah Beach. His valorous leadership on the beach saved the day for his troops and earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor. Throughout his life, Theodore Roosevelt Jr. strived to be a credit to his father. As this marvelous biography demonstrates, he succeeded beyond expectation. When Gen. Omar Bradley was asked to name the bravest act he had ever known over his more than forty years of military service, he replied with four “Ted Roosevelt. Utah Beach.”
During World War I, Ted (as he was known) was the youngest American regimental commander to see combat. After the war, he returned to civilian life and founded the American Legion, as well as receiving a succession of important presidential-political appointments, including secretary of the navy, governor of Puerto Rico, and governor general of the Philippines. Early in 1941, Ted petitioned the army to return him to active duty. In April of that year, despite his advanced years, poor eyesight, weak heart, and arthritis so bad he had to use a cane, Colonel Roosevelt was back in uniform. Promoted to brigadier general, Ted fought with the 1st Infantry Division and served with distinction in North Africa and Sicily.
At Normandy, General Roosevelt was the oldest American and only general to land with the first wave on Utah Beach. His valorous leadership on the beach saved the day for his troops and earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor. Throughout his life, Theodore Roosevelt Jr. strived to be a credit to his father. As this marvelous biography demonstrates, he succeeded beyond expectation. When Gen. Omar Bradley was asked to name the bravest act he had ever known over his more than forty years of military service, he replied with four “Ted Roosevelt. Utah Beach.”
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 4, 2003
22 people want to read
About the author
H. Paul Jeffers
88 books19 followersH. Paul Jeffers was an established military historian and author of seventy books. He worked as an editor and producer at ABC, CBS and NBC, and is the only person to have been news director of both of New York City's all-news radio stations. He taught journalism at New York University, Syracuse University, and Boston University.
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March 12, 2021
This is a well done book about Ted Roosevelt, this oldest son of President Theodore Roosevelt. Ted led a very interesting life with many parallels to his famous father. At age 57 and a Brigadier General, he led troops ashore in the first wave on Utah Beach In WWII. He died of a heart attack a few weeks later and was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, presented by FDR. This book is worth reading to learn about this special American. You can see him portrayed by Henry Fonda in the war movie The Longest Day. JIM
Displaying 1 of 1 review