Theodore Roosevelt’s youngest son Quentin Roosevelt I was a pilot in World War I and was killed in France during combat. He is the only child of a US President to die in combat
For this subject’s nephew and namesake, see Quentin Roosevelt II.
Quentin Roosevelt I (November 19, 1897 – July 14, 1918) was the youngest son of President Theodore Roosevelt and First Lady Edith Roosevelt. Inspired by his father and siblings, he joined the United States Army Air Service where he became a pursuit pilot during World War I. He was killed in aerial combat over France on Bastille Day (July 14), 1918. As of 2020, he is the only child of a US President to die in combat.
Childhood
Roosevelt Family in 1903 with Quentin on the left, TR, Ted, Archie, Alice, Kermit, Edith, and Ethel
Quentin Roosevelt and Roswell Pinckney, members of the “White House Gang” of young playmates. Theodore Roosevelt was an honorary member.Continue Reading (16 minute read)
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4 thoughts on “Theodore Roosevelt’s youngest son Quentin Roosevelt I was a pilot in World War I and was killed in France during combat. He is the only child of a US President to die in combat”
colbydoler
His death also destroyed German morale (probably).
“Naturally Roosevelt’s death was international news, and a picture taken of his body beside his broken aircraft was turned into a German propaganda postcard. However, in the end the propaganda had the reverse effect, as it showed German soldiers that in the short time America had been in the war, the son of an American President had fought and died in one of the most dangerous jobs there was, while the Kaiser and his sons were doing just fine after four years. Such thoughts, at a desperate point in their fight, did not inspire the common German soldier to die for king and country.”
His death also destroyed German morale (probably).
“Naturally Roosevelt’s death was international news, and a picture taken of his body beside his broken aircraft was turned into a German propaganda postcard. However, in the end the propaganda had the reverse effect, as it showed German soldiers that in the short time America had been in the war, the son of an American President had fought and died in one of the most dangerous jobs there was, while the Kaiser and his sons were doing just fine after four years. Such thoughts, at a desperate point in their fight, did not inspire the common German soldier to die for king and country.”
Source: https://historyonashirt.com/blogs/knights-without-parachutes/quentin-roosevelts-death-may-have-destroyed-german-morale
Edit: clarity
His brother TR Jr earned a MoH on DDay and died of a heart attack a month later in France.
Why is there a Roman numeral one after his name?
Theodore Roosevelt Jr (Quentin ‘s older brother) also died on active service at the front in WW2.