Buyer, Stephen E. (Stephen Earle), 1958-

Tweed Roosevelt recounts his role, beginning in the fall of 1998, to secure the Medal of Honor for Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt admits that he was initially skeptical about the effort, but he decided to volunteer and became a lobbyist to secure passage of the necessary enabling legislation. Roosevelt highlights the various members of the House and Senate who helped secure the bill’s passage, highlighting the roles of Congressmen Rick A. Lazio, Paul F. McHale, Steven E. Buyer, and especially, Senator Kent Conrad of North Dakota. He also notes how the bill’s passage was threatened by the impeachment proceedings swirling around President Bill Clinton. Roosevelt describes several White House visits, including meetings with Clinton and President George W. Bush.

Twelve photographs appear in the article, nine of which include Tweed Roosevelt, and three each featuring Clinton and Bush. A Frederic Remington painting, a letter, and two documents related to the conferral of the Medal of Honor also accompany the article.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

2009-10-24

Report on the successful effort to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to Theodore Roosevelt for his actions during the Battle of San Juan on July 1, 1898. The report details the history of the efforts to secure the medal for Roosevelt dating back to the aftermath of the Spanish-American War, and it closely examines the renewed efforts since 1996, highlighting the work of the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) and numerous members of Congress. The report also covers the White House ceremonies of January 16, 2001 presided over by President Bill Clinton, and it includes coverage of the heroics of Andrew Jackson Smith who was also posthumously awarded the medal for his actions during the Civil War. A history of the Rough Rider regiment, Clinton’s remarks at the ceremony, and the citation accompanying Roosevelt’s medal are included in the report. 

Five photographs from the medal ceremony and two of Roosevelt appear in the article.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal