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WHITE HOUSE HEROES, PART I

© John S. Cooper

Many well-known and celebrated heroes have lived in the White House. Some have gotten to the White House on the popularity of their reputations as heroes. But not all the heroes who lived in the White House were adults at the time. A number of White House children have gone on to do great things in their own right. Two were recognized as genuine heroes when they received the Medal of Honor (also called the Congressional Medal of Honor), our nation's highest award for gallantry and courage.

Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., was born September 13, 1887 at Oyster Bay, New York. Teddy, Jr. was much like his father in both looks and mannerisms. His personality and his career were also much like his father’s. Ted, Jr. grew up in his father’s image, engaging in what his father called “the active life” and enjoying the outdoors and sports.

Teddy, Jr. graduated from Harvard. He married Eleanor Butler Alexander on June 20, 1910 in New York City, and they had four children together. He was commissioned a major in the army in 1917. (His father also volunteered, but was turned down for political reasons. President Woodrow Wilson had no love for TR, and did not want him leading a division in combat.) During World War I, Teddy, Jr. earned promotion to lieutenant colonel. He was wounded and gassed at the Battle of Soissons. He later commanded an infantry regiment at the Battle of the Argonne. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Service Medal, and the Distinguished Service Cross, second only to the Medal of Honor as the United States’ highest medal for valor.

After the armistice, Ted, Jr. entered politics. He was elected to the New York State Assembly in 1919, and was appointed assistant secretary of the navy in 1921 by President Warren Harding. Ted Jr. became an unwitting accomplice in the infamous Teapot Dome scandal. As assistant Secretary of the navy, he facilitated the transfer of the Teapot Dome oil reserve lands from the Navy Department to the Department of the Interior. He had no part in the illegal or unethical actions of those involved, and no blame ever attached to him.

Ted Jr. ran for governor of New York in 1924, but lost to the popular Al Smith. He was appointed governor of Puerto Rico by President Calvin Coolidge and served from 1929-1932. He was then appointed governor of the Philippines by President Hoover and served from 1932-1933. In World War II, he served as a brigadier general, and the assistant commander of the 4th Infantry Division.

Ted, Jr. on left		Eleanor Butler Alexander Roosevelt
Ted Jr. with walking cane	Ted, Jr., on right, with Gen. Patton			The Distinguished Service Medal
The Purple Heart

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