Elliott Roosevelt
Military
NARA Ref 342-FH-3A28689-23665AC.
Object Number - UPL 25091 - Lt. Col. Elliott Roosevelt receives the Distinguished Flying Cross in Algiers for outstanding services performed by his Group in the African...
In WWII he commanded the aerial reconnaissance wing that played a key role in the Allies' 1944 D-Day landings in Normandy, France, as well as the invasions of North Africa and Sicily Commander of HQ 325th Photo Wing, [Reconnaissance]. Roosevelt pioneered new techniques in night photography and meteorological data-gathering, but his controversial claims to a distinguished record on combat missions have been largely discounted. He faced charges of corruption, including accusations that he had recommended the purchase of the experimental Hughes XF-11 reconnaissance aircraft against a Lockheed model that was believed to be superior. He rose to Brigadier General leaving the service on VJ day [15-Aug-45].
Awards: LOM, LOH, DFC, Croix de Guerre (Palm), AM (11 OLC), CBE, American Defense and Campaign, WWII Victory, EAME (7 Stars).
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Reconnaissance
- Unit Hierarchy: Wing
![Photographic officers of the 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group look through camera lenses infront of a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Esten Illustrated.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 8 Jul 1943.' [stamp] and '273528.' [Censor no.]. A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse, however this has been removed.](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380976.jpg.webp?itok=b-IRYuYJ)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Reconnaissance
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group 22nd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-769944
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: The Blue Goose
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
New York City, New York | 23 September 1910 | Son of Franklin D and Eleanor Roosevelt. |
|
Died |
Scottsdale, AZ, USA | 27 October 1990 |
Revisions
Merged with duplicate entry to include details from:
- Aerial Intelligence of the 8th Air Force, pg 5 ;
- the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia
7th Photo Recon Group Master Directory, 6 June 1996; Who's Who in the Eighth Air Force and/or Biographical Directory Command & Staff Officers Eighth Air Force 1942-45 / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia
![Major General James Doolittle awards Lieutenant Colonel Elliot Roosevelt, 15th Air Force, the Distinguished Flying Cross. Image stamped on reverse: 'Keystone Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 4 Jan 1943.' [stamp], '241567.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'ROOSEVELT'S SON AWARDED DFC. Lt Col Elliot Roosevelt of US Army Air Force was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross by Maj Gen Jas J Doolittle, US Air Chief in Tunisia. He participated in long flights over Artic and Equatorial waters he](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-456660.jpg.webp?itok=W4m0wBrH)
