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Lieutenant Colonel · U.S. Army

Theodore Roosevelt

Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, Army, received the Medal of Honor posthumously for actions on July 1, 1898 at San Juan Hill, Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War July 1, 1898Posthumous

Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, a soldier in the U.S. Army, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for gallantry on July 1, 1898 at San Juan Hill, Cuba during the Spanish-American War. At the time he was serving with 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment (Rough Riders). Roosevelt was 39 years old.

23 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on January 16, 2001, 102 years after the action — the White House (Roosevelt Room) - presented by President William J. Clinton to Tweed Roosevelt and family. He later rose to the rank of Commander-in-Chief.

Roosevelt was born on October 27, 1858 in New York, New York. Roosevelt died on January 6, 1919 in Oyster Bay, New York, at the age of 60. He is buried at Youngs Memorial Cemetery in Cove Neck, New York. His medal is held by White House, Roosevelt Room, Washington, DC.

Roosevelt is one of 110 Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War.

Official Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt distinguished himself by acts of bravery on 1 July 1898, near Santiago de Cuba, Republic of Cuba, while leading a daring charge up San Juan Hill. Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt, in total disregard for his personal safety, and accompanied by only four or five men, led a desperate and gallant charge up San Juan Hill, encouraging his troops to continue the assault through withering enemy fire over open countryside. Facing the enemy's heavy fire, he displayed extraordinary bravery throughout the charge, and was the first to reach the enemy trenches, where he quickly killed one of the enemy with his pistol, allowing his men to continue the assault. His leadership and valor turned the tide in the battle for San Juan Hill. Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

How he died

  • Awarded posthumously — died January 6, 1919.
  • Manner of death: natural causes
  • Cause of death: pulmonary embolism
  • Age at death: 60
  • Resting place: Youngs Memorial Cemetery

Cause and manner of death: Wikidata.

Other decorations and honors

Besides the Medal of Honor, Theodore Roosevelt received:

David Livingstone Centenary MedalHonorary Doctorate from the National Autonomous University of MexicoHonorary doctor of the Humboldt University of BerlinHonorary doctorate from the University of CairoNobel Peace Prize

Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: Spanish–American War.

Life beyond the battlefield

Source: Wikidata.

Places

  • Born: Manhattan — map
  • Died: Sagamore Hill — map
  • Buried: Youngs Memorial Cemetery — map

Timeline

  1. October 27, 1858
    Born in New York, New York
  2. July 1, 1898
    Act of valor — San Juan Hill, Cuba
    Age 39. 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment (Rough Riders)
  3. January 6, 1919
    Died in Oyster Bay, New York
    Age 60.
  4. January 16, 2001
    Medal of Honor presented posthumously
    The White House (Roosevelt Room) - presented by President William J. Clinton to Tweed Roosevelt and family
  5. Resting place
    Youngs Memorial Cemetery
    Cove Neck, New York

Biography

Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919) was the 26th president of the United States, serving from 1901 to 1909. Previously serving for six months as vice president under William McKinley, Roosevelt became president after McKinley's assassination in 1901. He was 42 years old upon his first inauguration, making him the youngest person to hold the office. A sickly child with debilitating asthma, Roosevelt overcame health problems through a regime of vigorous exercise, which he called "the strenuous life". He was homeschooled and began a lifelong naturalist avocation before attending Harvard University.

From the Wikipedia article “Theodore Roosevelt”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Named in his honor

Further reading

Also honored for actions on July 1, 1898

EB Edward Lee Baker Jr. Sergeant Major · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 GB George Francis Berg Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 OB Oscar Brookin Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 UB Ulysses G. Buzzard Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 Charles P. Cantrell Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 AC Andrew Johnson Cummins Sergeant · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 JD John Francis Deswan Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 TD Thomas M. Doherty Corporal · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 FF Frank Ottis Fournia Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 TG Thomas J. Graves Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 BH Benjamin Franklin Hardaway First Lieutenant · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 WK William G. Keller Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898

See all 24 recipients for July 1, 1898 →

Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.