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Rank and organization: brigadier general, U.S. Army.
Place and Date:
Normandy invasion, 6 June 1944. Entered service at: Oyster Bay, N.Y. Birth:
Oyster Bay, N.Y. G.O. No.: 77, 28 September 1944. Citation: for gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty
on 6 June 1944, in France. After 2 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 strong points and rapidly moved inland with minimum casualties.
He thus contributed substantially to the successful establishment of the
beachhead in France .
This data was extracted from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973)
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