In the Roughrider's Shadow: The Story of a War Hero - Theodore Roosevelt Jr. - Softcover

Gerald Astor is a critically acclaimed military historian and author of The Mighty Eighth, A Blood Dimmed Tide, The Right to Fight, The Greatest War, Bloody Forest, among other titles. He lives near New York City.

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 words: “Ted Roosevelt. Utah Beach.”