"Normandy, June 6, 1944: Theodore Roosevelt, Jr." Topic

…– One of Only Two Generals on the Beach

"On the morning of June 6, 1944, American, British and Canadian military forces landed on the beaches of Normandy, France. This would be the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany. Over 130,000 Allied service members participated in the five days it took to secure the beaches.

In those five days, ten U.S. Army members would preform acts of valor "above and beyond the call of duty," eventually resulting in the award of the Medal of Honor. One of them was Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., the son of U.S. President and Medal of Honor Recipient Theodore Roosevelt. Here is his story…"

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Armand

I understand Bradley's dislike for his leadership style but not Patton. As I recall Patton was a "from the front" type as well.

Henry Fonda "Longest Day" nicely done!

The story was when TR Jr. was Terry Allen's XO with the 1st U.S. Infantry Division Patton accused Allen and TR Jr. of having the attitude that the U.S. Army was just the 1st Division and a million replacements. Both Patton and Bradley had issues with Allen and TR Jr., but I believe it was Bradley who arranged for them to be relieved at the end of the Sicily Campaign. Despite being relieved Eisenhower still supported Allen. Where Ike stood with TR Jr. after Sicily I'm not sure.

Thanks

Armand

"One of them was Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., the son of U.S. President and Medal of Honor Recipient Theodore Roosevelt." But Roosevelt Senior didn't get his MoH until 2001! :)

Glup!…

Armand

"leading the assault on Utah Beach, the most southern of the landing sites at Normandy. "
Utah was actually the most northern and most western of the five Normandy beaches. Why put in a meaningless detail if you aren't sure it's correct?

Well spotted. I missed that.

Should generals have been on the beach? Seems like it'd be too high a risk to me.

(smile)

Armand

First wave certainly sounds a potential waste of command. Veteran NCOs and a few officers sounds sensible for the numbers involved.

But then Cota on Omaha,, or Gavin jumping into Normandy, clearly thought otherwise and they were the professionals

Should generals have been on the beach?

My understanding is the only generals landed on the beaches before the beaches were fully secured were Division XOs. This provided a good balance between having someone higher up to coordinate things and preserving the division command structure during the initial assault.

Thanks

Armand

I think it was certainly a worthwhile risk to have someone with both the knowledge to read the situation on the ground and the power to change the paradigm.