| Birth: | Oct. 10, 1889
Oyster Bay
Nassau County
New York, USA | | Death: | Jun. 4, 1943
Anchorage
Anchorage Borough
Alaska, USA | 
Explorer, Soldier, Businessman, and Author. He was the second child of former President Theodore Roosevelt and his second wife, Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt. After attending an Episcopalian college preparatory school, Groton, in Groton, Massachusetts, he completed a four year course at Harvard in two and a half years. After his freshman year he accompanied his father on a safari to Africa. In 1913 to1914 he accompanied his father on an expedition to South America to explore the River of Doubt. The river was later renamed the Rio Roosevelt and one branch of it was renamed Rio Kermit. Theodore's book detailing this expedition "Through the Brazilian Wilderness" was on of his most popular. The expedition was progressing at an easy pace until it was decided to change their objectives and trace the river from its origin through its previously unchartered path through the dense rain forest. The harsh climate, torrential rain falls, terrain almost impossible to traverse, ill-equipped and designed canoes, along with dangerous waterfall and rapids soon took their toll on the crew. One crewmember drowned and another was murdered. Worst of all, Theodore Roosevelt contracted malaria and a serious infection from a minor leg wound. The president gave Kermit complete credit for saving his life on the trip. Kermit had also contacted malaria and came close to death when he conserved his quinine usage to make sure his father had enough. The expedition doctor was eventually forced to inject him with quinine. After the expedition, he married Belle Wyatt Willard and they had four children. He saw service in World War when in 1917 he accepted a Captaincy in the British Army and saw heavy combat in the Middle East. When the United States joined the war he obtained a transfer to the American expeditionary Forces in Europe. After the expedition, Roosevelt went into business; he founded the Roosevelt Steamship Company and the United States Lines. By the time World War II began, he was in a battle with alcoholism and depression, problems that occurred frequently in his ancestors. His father had sensed the possibility of the problems and had worked mightily to prevent it from happening. Kermit, with the help of his friend, Winston Churchhill, managed to get a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Middlesex Regiment His first task was to lead a contingent of soldiers into Finland for the Winter War in Finland. Before the expedition could get under way Finland was forced to make peace with Russia. He was sent to North Africa where there was little action and his drinking, an enlarged liver, and a resurgence of malaria resulted in his return to England and a discharge. When he returned to the States the worry of his family resulted in his cousin, President Franklin D Roosevelt, bringing him back into the Army as a Major and shipping him to Fort Richardson, Alaska as an intelligence officer. This got him out from under the bad influence of friends, but was not enough to save his life and he died of a self inflicted gunshot wound. (bio by: Tom Todd)
Family links:
Parents:
Theodore Roosevelt (1858 - 1919)
Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt (1861 - 1948)
Spouse:
Belle Wyatt Willard Roosevelt (1892 - 1968)
Children:
Kermit Roosevelt (1916 - 2000)*
Belle Wyatt Roosevelt Palfrey (1920 - 1985)*
*Calculated relationship
Cause of death: Suicide
Search Amazon for Kermit Roosevelt | | | Burial:
Fort Richardson National Cemetery
Fort Richardson
Anchorage Borough
Alaska, USA |
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Record added: Jan 01, 1999
Find A Grave Memorial# 4231 |
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God bless you on your Birthday (US Army's 238th Birthday; belated). Rest in Peace, soldier.
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Richard S. Barzelogna
Added: Jun. 15, 2013 |
God bless you on Flag Day (early). Old Glory has waived over a free nation for the 238th year because Heroes like you have defended Her. Rest in Peace.
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Richard S. Barzelogna
Added: Jun. 13, 2013 |
Kermit Roosevelt : Sir, you will be known as a son of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. You were an explorer on two continents with your father, a graduate of Harvard University, a soldier serving in two world wars, with both the British and U.S. Armies,...(Read more)
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MFPS
Added: Jun. 4, 2013 |
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