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Cordelia Zane Euston Hays relates to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt a story that her chauffeur told of Quentin Roosevelt. She writes Quentin was “a wonderful fellow,” and he helped Quentin many times in Issoudun to start his motorcycle.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1918-11-09
John G. Staudt chronicles Quentin Roosevelt’s service in World War I with a focus on his time at the aviation instruction center at Issoudun, France. Staudt challenges the assertions of other historians and believes that Roosevelt’s greatest contribution to the war effort was not getting killed in combat, but rather his work in organizing and leading flight instruction for fellow aviators. Staudt notes that Roosevelt was plagued by anxiety about not serving at the front for much of his time overseas, and he stresses that Roosevelt was well liked by the men under his command. Staudt cites a contemporary source who claims that Roosevelt was a brave and skilled, but reckless pilot.
Seven photographs, including two of Roosevelt, a map, and two illustrations supplement the text.
Alan Toelle chronicles Quentin Roosevelt’s service as an aviator during World War I. Toelle covers Roosevelt’s various assignments and his decision to forgo service with a front line combat unit early in his career despite his and his brothers’ eagerness for him to see combat. Toelle notes Roosevelt’s brief combat career–two missions–the second of which ended in his death. Toelle mentions many of Roosevelt’s fellow aviators, and he concludes his article by quoting at length from a letter written by Warwick Greene who served with Roosevelt.
Three photographs supplement the text, including one of Roosevelt with his squadron mates and one in his airplane named “Doc Yak.” An text box with an advertisement for the League of World War One Aviation Historians, of which Toelle is a member, appears at the conclusion of the essay.
Winthrop Chanler writes a letter of condolence after the death of Quentin Roosevelt. Chanler fondly remembers meeting Quentin at the Issoudun airfield. He also recently saw “Archie” Roosevelt in Paris and heard that “Ted” Roosevelt had been hurt. Chanler regrets that it is the young who go to fight rather than the “old ones” like himself. Chanler sends his deepest sympathies to Roosevelt’s wife.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1918-09-09
H. A. Maxwell writes a note of condolence to Theodore Roosevelt after the death of his son Quentin Roosevelt. Maxwell met Quentin at the Issoudun aviation camp where Quentin was a “Y man,” and Maxwell shares a few fond anecdotes relating his good character. Maxwell did not have time to visit Quentin’s grave site in France.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1918-09-13