Elliott Roosevelt was born in New York, New York, on September 23, 1910. He attended the Groton School, Boston, Massachusetts, for six years, graduating in 1929, and the Hun Preparatory School in Princeton, New Jersey, from which he graduated the following year.
His activities in civil life prior to entering the military service were those of president of the Texas State Radio Network for four years; executive of an advertising agency for three years; aviation editor of Hearst newspapers for one year; vice president of the Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce for one year and a member of the board of directors of the Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College, College Station, Texas, for two years. He has a wide acquaintance with the operation of such industries as radio, air transport, and aviation manufacturing.
Commissioned a captain in the Specialist Reserve on September 15, 1940, he was assigned to active duty on October 7, 1940, with the Industrial War Plans Section of the Air Corps Material Division at Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio. Later, for a period of nine months, he was on duty with a Reconnaissance Squadron, during which time he traveled extensively by air through Labrador, Northwestern Quebec and Baffin Island. He completed an aerial survey of Iceland and Greenland, this in connection with the trans-Atlantic route of ferrying airplanes.
Following a short period of duty with a photographic group at Bolling Field, D.C., on September 15, 1941, he was ordered to Kelly Field, Texas, to pursue a course of instruction in aerial navigation. Upon completion of this course on December 20, 1941, he was rated as Aircraft Observer (Aerial Navigator), and assigned to duty with the 6th Reconnaissance Squadron at Muroc Lake, California. He was relieved from this duty on February 26, 1942, and assigned to the 1st Photographic Group at Bolling Field, D.C. In July 1942 he was transferred to the 3d Photographic Group at Colorado Springs, Colorado, and subsequently assumed command of this organization. On August 25, 1942, he was assigned to duty overseas. On February 18, 1943, he took command of the Northwest African Photographic Reconnaissance Wing, a composite Allied organization.
From August 21 to September 23, 1943, he was on duty at the Headquarters, Army Air Forces, Washington, D.C., as Chief of Reconnaissance Branch, Requirements Division, Office of the Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Operations, Commitments and Requirements. He then returned to overseas duty, February 17, 1944, and was attached to the headquarters, Eighth Air Force, and later became commanding officer of the 325th Reconnaissance Wing. He returned to the United States in January 1945 and was assigned to Headquarters, Army Air Forces, Washington, D.C.
He was promoted to Major, Air Reserve, on March 26, 1942; to lieutenant colonel on August 6, 1942; and to colonel on February 23, 1943; and to brigadier general (temporary) on January 20, 1945. He was retired from active duty on August 15, 1945.
He was rated an Aircraft Observer.
DECORATIONS
On December 23, 1942, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with the following citation:
“For heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights. As a member of parties making aerial surveys of important ferry routes, Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt participated in long and dangerous flights over Arctic, sub-Arctic and Equatorial regions many of them being over water and uninhabited areas. On one expedition, Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt was the only member who made every operational flight. As a result of his experience and energy, he has been of great assistance in the establishment of ferry routes. As Commanding Officer of a Photographic Group assigned to the American Forces in North Africa, Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt personally participated in many flights deep into hostile and heavily defended areas acting as observer, navigator, photographer and radio operator. He made those flights voluntarily with complete disregard for his personal safety as he well knew the extremely vulnerable characteristics of his unarmed airplane. The efficiency of his Photographic Group as proven by the valuable information it has obtained, is due in a large degree to the ability, leadership and inspiration of Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt. His courage and skill reflect credit both upon himself and the military service.”
On May 8, 1943, he was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in five (5) sorties against the enemy.
On October 12, 1943, he received the following Letter of Commendation from General Henry H. Arnold, Commanding General, Army Air Forces:
“1. The careful and thorough work you have performed in the reorganization of the reconnaissance program of the Army Air Forces is most pleasing to me and I desire to commend you for your contribution to this important project.
2. Your practical experience has been of inestimable assistance in establishing plans and procedures for the use of Reconnaissance Units in the field and in setting up n tables of organization based on the actual needs of present-day warfare. Your advice and counsel have also been most helpful in revising our training program in this country, forming the present Reconnaissance Command of the Third Air Force and setting up the necessary staff branch in this headquarters.
3. The thorough knowledge you have of these matters and your wholehearted cooperation at all times reflect great credit upon yourself.
4. A copy of this letter will be made a part of your efficiency record.”
On December 25, 1943, he was awarded the Legion of Merit with the following citation:
“For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service from 1 November 1942 to 30 October 1943. By his dynamic energy and inspiring zeal, he built the small photographic and reconnaissance group which he commanded into a photo reconnaissance wing which controlled the preparation of photographic intelligence for all planning staffs and operations within the theater. His keen insight into the invaluable aid of aerial photography, and the knowledge of its practical application, enabled him to make an outstanding contribution to the success of the Tunisian and Sicilian Campaigns, and of the initial operations in Italy.”
On September 28, 1944, he received the following Letter of Commendation from Lieutenant General Omar N. Bradley, Commanding General, Twelfth Army Group:
“1. It is desired to express the appreciation of Twelfth Army Group for the outstanding work which has been accomplished by the officers and men of your command [325th Reconnaissance Wing].
2. The A-3 and A-3 Progress Sections have at all times been ready and able to execute exacting requests from the Army Group for aerial photos, mozaics and the reproduction of prints. The officers and men of these sections have appreciated the fact that in practically all instances, due to the rapidly moving situation, the time element has been a vital factor, and have exerted themselves to the utmost to meet the commitments in time to have their work be of value.
3. By their untiring efforts the laboratory section of the Wing has produced vast quantities of prints which have proved of great value to the Army Group. It is especially desired to bring to the attention of each officer and man the importance of the work which has been accomplished by them.
4. The Seventh Photo Group has accomplished at considerable loss in planes and personnel, the flying of many hazardous missions in a manner which reflects great credit upon their own unit and Photo Reconnaissance Aviation as a whole.”
On January 23, 1943, he received the award of the Commander of the Order of Ouissam Alaouite from the Sultan of Morocco and, on May 24, 1944, the Commander of the Order of the British Empire, presented by Air Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory, commander-in-chief of the Allied Expeditionary Air Force. On June 14, 1947, at a ceremony at the French Embassy in Washington, D.C., he was awarded by France with the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor and the Croix de Guerre with Palm for his outstanding services in North Africa in 1943.