James Roosevelt facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James Roosevelt
Roosevelt in 1937
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 26th district
In office January 3, 1955 – September 30, 1965
Preceded by	Sam Yorty
Succeeded by	Thomas M. Rees
Chairman of the California Democratic Party
In office July 21, 1946 – August 8, 1948
Secretary to the President
In office July 1937 – November 1938
President	Franklin D. Roosevelt
Preceded by	Louis McHenry Howe
Succeeded by	Marvin H. McIntyre
Personal details
Born	James Roosevelt II (1907-12-23)December 23, 1907 New York City, New York, U.S.
Died	August 13, 1991(1991-08-13) (aged 83) Newport Beach, California, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouses	Betsey Maria Cushing ​ ​ (m. 1930; div. 1940)​ Romelle Theresa Schneider ​ ​ (m. 1941; div. 1955)​ Gladys Irene Kitchenmaster Owens ​ ​ (m. 1956; div. 1969)​ Mary Winskill ​ (m. 1969)​
Children	7, including Sara Delano Roosevelt and James Roosevelt III
Parents	Franklin Delano Roosevelt Anna Eleanor Roosevelt
Relatives	Roosevelt family
Alma mater	Harvard University (AB) Boston University
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch/service	United States Marine Corps Reserve
Years of service	1936–1959
Rank	Brigadier General
Unit	2nd Raider Battalion
Commands	4th Raider Battalion
Battles/wars	World War II Battle of Makin Battle of Okinawa
Awards	Navy Cross Silver Star

James Roosevelt II (December 23, 1907 – August 13, 1991) was an American businessman, soldier, and politician. He was the oldest son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt. James served as a special assistant to his father. Later, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives for California. He served five terms from 1955 to 1965. He also received the Navy Cross for his brave service as a Marine Corps officer during World War II.

Early Life and Education

James Roosevelt was born in New York City. He was named after his grandfather, James Roosevelt I. He went to schools in Washington, D.C. and Massachusetts. At Groton School, he enjoyed sports like rowing and football. He was also a student leader.

After high school in 1926, he attended Harvard University. There, he continued rowing. He also joined several social clubs, following family traditions. His father and his famous relative, President Theodore Roosevelt, had been members of some of these clubs. James graduated from Harvard in 1930.

Starting a Career

After college, James briefly studied law at Boston University School of Law. He also began working in sales for an insurance company. He was very successful and soon started his own insurance agency, Roosevelt & Sargent. He made a lot of money from this business. In 1937, he left the firm to work for his father in the White House. However, he kept half ownership of the company.

Political Beginnings

James Roosevelt became involved in politics at a young age. In 1924, he helped his father at the 1924 Democratic National Convention. In 1928, he campaigned for Democratic presidential candidate Al Smith.

In 1932, James led his father's presidential campaign in Massachusetts. He gave about 200 speeches. His father won Massachusetts in the November election. James was seen as his father's political helper in the state. He also helped repeal Prohibition in 1933.

Working in the White House

In 1936, James began helping his father unofficially. On January 6, 1937, he was officially appointed as an "administrative assistant to the President." By July 1937, he became secretary to the president. He helped coordinate many federal agencies.

Some people thought James was like an "Assistant President." However, in 1938, there were claims that he used his position to help his insurance business. He denied these claims and shared his income tax returns. He resigned from his White House job in November 1938.

Hollywood Ventures

After leaving the White House, James Roosevelt moved to Hollywood, California. He worked as an assistant for film producer Samuel Goldwyn. He also started his own company, "Globe Productions," to make short films. This company closed in 1944 while he was serving in the military. James also produced a film called Pot o' Gold.

Military Service in World War II

Roosevelt as a Marine Corps lieutenant colonel in World War II

When World War II started in Europe in 1939, James resigned his Marine commission. He then accepted a new commission as a captain in the Marine Corps Reserve. He wanted to serve actively, which he began doing in November 1940.

In April 1941, his father sent him on a secret trip around the world. He met with leaders in China, Egypt, and Greece. His goal was to assure them that the United States would soon join the war. During this trip, he faced German air attacks in Crete and Iraq.

Combat and Awards

After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941, James asked for combat duty. He joined the Marine Raiders in January 1942. This was a new commando force. He became second-in-command of the 2nd Raider Battalion. James's support helped get presidential backing for the Raiders.

Despite health issues, James served with the 2nd Raiders at Midway in June 1942. He also participated in the Makin Island raid in August 1942. For his bravery there, he and 22 others received the Navy Cross. In October, he took command of the 4th Raiders. He was promoted to colonel in April 1944. He left active duty in August 1945.

James continued to serve in the Marine Corps Reserve. He retired on October 1, 1959, as a brigadier general.

Military Awards and Recognition

James Roosevelt received several military honors for his service:

Battle Participation

LtCol Roosevelt earned "battle stars" for his involvement in these actions:

• Battle of Midway, June 3–6, 1942
• Capture and Defense of Guadalcanal, August 10, 1942 – February 8, 1943
• Makin Raid, August 17–18, 1942
• Eastern Mandates November 1943 – January 1944 (for Makin)

Post-War Career in Politics

After World War II, James Roosevelt moved back to California. He rejoined his insurance company and became its president.

In 1946, he became chairman of the California State Democratic Central Committee. He also started a daily radio show about politics. He supported Dwight D. Eisenhower as a Democratic candidate for president in 1948. When Harry S. Truman was nominated instead, James stepped down as state chairman.

In 1950, James ran for Governor of California. However, he lost to the Republican governor, Earl Warren.

Serving in Congress

In 1954, James Roosevelt was elected as a U.S. Representative from California's 26th congressional district. This area usually voted for Democrats. He was re-elected five times and served from 1955 to 1965. He resigned during his sixth term.

James was one of the first politicians to speak out against Senator Joseph McCarthy. He was also the only representative to vote against funding the House Un-American Activities Committee.

In April 1965, James ran for Mayor of Los Angeles. He challenged the current mayor, Sam Yorty, but lost in the primary election.

He left Congress in October 1965. President Lyndon B. Johnson then appointed him as a delegate to UNESCO. James resigned from UNESCO in December 1966. He then became an executive for a company in Switzerland.

Later, James returned to California. He supported President Richard Nixon's re-election in 1972. He also supported Ronald Reagan in 1980 and 1984.

Writings

James Roosevelt wrote several books. These include Affectionately, FDR (1959) and My Parents, a Differing View (1976). The second book was written to share his perspective on his parents. He also wrote a novel called A Family Matter (1979).

Family Life and Marriages

James Roosevelt was married four times and had seven children.

His first marriage was in 1930 to Betsey Maria Cushing. They had two daughters, Sara (born 1932) and Kate (born 1936). They divorced in 1940.

In 1941, he married his nurse, Romelle Therese Schneider. They had three children: James (born 1945), Michael Anthony (born 1947), and Anna Eleanor "Anne" (born 1948). They divorced in 1956.

In 1956, he married Gladys Irene Owens, who was his receptionist. They had one son, Hall Delano (called "Del"), born in 1959. They divorced in 1969.

His fourth marriage was in 1969 to Mary Winskill. She was his youngest son Del's teacher. They had one daughter, Rebecca Mary, born in 1971.

Later Years and Death

James Roosevelt died in Newport Beach, California, in 1991. He was 83 years old. He passed away due to complications from a stroke and Parkinson's disease. He was the last surviving child of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.

Dates of Military Rank

	Lieutenant Colonel, United States Marine Corps: 1936
	Captain, United States Marine Corps Reserve: November 1940
	Major, United States Marine Corps Reserve: June 1940
	Colonel, United States Marine Corps Reserve: April 13, 1944
	Brigadier General, United States Marine Corps Reserve: October 1, 1959

Images for kids

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  James Roosevelt visiting Degania, Palestine, 1941

See also

• Elliott Roosevelt
• Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Jr.
• Anna Eleanor Roosevelt
• John Aspinwall Roosevelt II