Kermit Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt Jr.

This post deals with a 1939 cover mailed by Kermit Roosevelt (1889-1943), son of former U.S. president Theodore Roosevelt,  to his brother Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (1887-1944).  


Kermit Roosevelt
 

Kermit with his father Theodore Roosevelt, 1910

Kermit Roosevelt was a businessman, explorer, and a writer who served in both world wars. In 1939, he joined the British Army and was discharged on medical grounds in 1941. He returned to the United States and received a commission in the U.S. Army from his distant relative President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Kermit Roosevelt in the British Army, 1939

Kermit Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt Cover

Signed on the envelope flap

Kermit Roosevelt had received a commission with the Middlesex Regiment which was stationed at Inglis Barracks at Mill Hill East. London. The cover was mailed at Mill Hill, November 1, 1939, and addressed to Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York.


Theodore Roosevelt Jr,

Ted Roosevelt, like his brother Kermit, fought in the two world wars. He was instrumental in forming the American Legion in 1919, and served as Governor of Puerto Rico and Governor General of the Philippines. In 1939, Ted was a vice-president of Doubleday Doran publishing.  During WWII, Ted achieved the rank of Brigadier General in the U. S. Army and was awarded a Medal of Honor.

Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jr.

Oyster Bay, Long Island

Oyster Bay was the location of President Theodore Roosevelt's now historic home, Sagamore Hill. In 1938, Ted Roosevelt Jr. built a house on the property which became known as Old Orchard House.

Old Orchard House is now a museum

Redirection to Doubleday, New York

 The letter was redirected to "D Doran Co" [Doubleday Doran],  New York, where Ted was a vice-president.


For more information on the Roosevelt brothers:

Kermit Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt Jr.