Medal of Honor Monday: Army Lt. Col. Teddy Roosevelt

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By Katie Lange,Department of Defense

Roosevelt was known for many things — most notably his two terms as president, his exploration of the South American wilderness, having his profile carved into Mount Rushmore, and the many nonfiction stories he wrote. But he was most proud of his service during the 1898 Spanish-American War, which liberated Cuba from Spanish rule.

Before the war, Roosevelt served in the New York National Guard and had worked as the assistant secretary of the Navy. But he wanted to be part of the fight, so he lobbied the secretary of war for an Army commission. He got it and was named lieutenant colonel of the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment — famously known as the ”Rough Riders.”

Deployed to Cuba, Roosevelt led a few other men on a charge up Kettle Hill, part of San Juan Heights, on July 1, 1898. Roosevelt encouraged his troops to continue fighting against a faltering enemy. He rode up and down the hill on horseback, leaving no doubt that he was one of the enemy’s most important targets. Yet he wasn’t hit by any bullets. Instead, Roosevelt was the first to reach enemy trenches, where he quickly killed an enemy with his pistol. The assault helped turn the tide of the war in America’s favor.

Despite Roosevelt’s efforts and lobbying by his superior officers, he was initially denied the Medal of Honor by the War Department. It took more than a century for the nation to change its mind. On Jan. 16, 2001, the former president finally received the honor.

Three years after gaining fame for his charge up San Juan Heights, Roosevelt was elected president.