Utah Beach and Teddy Roosevelt, Jr (#269)
Today’s post covers another aspect of the D-Day invasion -- the remarkable Teddy Roosevelt, Jr. and his actions on Utah Beach on June 6, 1944.
This year, I am doing a series on leaders and leadership in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) in World War II. This is 17th in the series. Check out the blog to see them all or go to the links at the bottom of this article to see the most recent ones.
Teddy Roosevelt, Jr.
Teddy Roosevelt Jr., was the eldest son of President Theodore Roosevelt. Born in 1887, Teddy graduated from Harvard University in 1909. He went in to business and investment banking after marrying Eleanor Butler Alexander. They eventually had four children.
At the start of World War I, Roosevelt received a reserve commission as a major. He joined the 1st Division (“The Big Red One”) and shipped to France in 1917. He distinguished himself as a leader and a soldier in the 26th Infantry Regiment as a battalion commander and eventually regimental commander. He fought in the Battles of Cantigny and Soissons and received the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, and the Chevalier Légion d'Honneur from France. Before the troops even came home from France, Teddy was one of the originators and founders of the soldiers' organization that would become the American Legion.
Between the wars, he remained in the Army reserve, but continued his political and business careers. He served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy from 1921–1924, Governor of Puerto Rico from 1929–1932 and Governor-General of the Philippines from 1932–1933. After returning from the Philippines, he became the Chairman of the Board of American Express Company and then the vice-president of Doubleday Books.
As war seemed imminent in 1940, Teddy Roosevelt, Jr returned to active duty with the rank of colonel. General George Marshall selected him to command and train the 26th Infantry Regiment, the same unit he led in World War I. He soon was promoted to brigadier general and for the job as the assistant division commander of the 1st Infantry Division. In this role, he participated in the Operation Torch landings in North Africa and the Tunisia Campaign, as well as Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily. Roosevelt was known for being at the front lines — he received two Silver Stars and the Croix du Guerre for his heroism and leadership under fire in these two campaigns.
As D-Day approached, Teddy was selected, at the age of 56, to serve as the assistant division commander of the 4th Infantry Division. Despite his age, arthritis, and heart problems, he insisted on landing with the first wave of troops on June 6, 1944. He was the only general officer to do so. Due to strong currents and navigational errors, Roosevelt's landing craft and the bulk of the 8th Infantry Regiment of the 4th Infantry Division landed approximately 2,000 yards away from their intended target. Upon realizing the error, he famously said, "We'll start the war from right here!" Roosevelt took immediate action and directed his troops to adapt to the situation and accomplish their mission of establishing a beachhead and opening up the causeways so follow-on troops could push into the Normandy countryside.
With artillery landing around him, each follow-on wave of soldiers and equipment was welcomed on the beach by a calm, cool, and collected Roosevelt, who inspired all with his humor and his confidence. Roosevelt pointed each regiment to its new objective. Working under fire as a self-appointed traffic cop, he untangled traffic jams of trucks and tanks all struggling to get inland and off the beach. Years later, General Omar Bradley was asked to name the single most heroic action he had ever seen in combat. He replied simply, "Ted Roosevelt on Utah Beach."
For his actions on D-Day, Teddy Roosevelt Jr. was awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration in the United States. Tragically, he passed away on July 12, 1944, just a few weeks after the D-Day invasion, due to a heart attack. His Medal of Honor Citation states:
For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 1944, in France. After two verbal requests to accompany the leading assault elements in the Normandy invasion had been denied, Brig. Gen. 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, Brig. Gen. 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 strongpoints and rapidly moved inland with minimum casualties. He thus contributed substantially to the successful establishment of the beachhead in France.
Roosevelt is buried at the ABMC Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. His brother Quentin, who was killed as a pilot in World War I, is buried beside him.
Application
Do leaders in your organization spend time on the front lines like Teddy Roosevelt? Or do they try to lead from corporate headquarters? Where is the right place for leaders to most effectively lead your organization?
Conclusion
I was recently on the Derek Duvall Podcast where we talked about our shared passion for World War II history, as well as ideas on how to develop your grit and accomplish your goals. I had a blast. Click here or on the picture to go to the podcast.
The last five blog posts on leaders and leadership from the World War II European Theater of Operations are:
Interested in bringing your team to Leadership Experience that uses historic case studies, like General Roosevelt during D-Day to enhance your team’s leadership today? TFCG offers the D-Day, Market-Garden, and Battle of the Bulge Leadership Experiences in Europe. TFCG also offers the Eisenhower, Currahee!, the War in the Pacific Museum, and Pearl Harbor Leadership Experiences in the United States. Send me an email and we can start the discussion today about building better leaders in your organization using a historic Leadership Experience. Or click on one of the pictures to learn more about that specific program.
In the meantime, go on the offensive and use Brigadier General Teddy Roosevelt, Jr’s actions on Utah Beach to inspire you this week.