DAYTON, Ohio -- Exhibit featured Lt. Quentin Roosevelt in the Early Years Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Lt. Quentin Roosevelt, the youngest son of former President Theodore Roosevelt, was a pilot in the 95th Aero Squadron. On July 14, 1918, he was shot down behind German lines by Sgt. Thom, a German ace with 24 victories. Roosevelt's Nieuport 28 crashed at Chamery near Coulonges-en-Tardenois and his body was buried by the Germans at the crash site. Since the plane had crashed so near the front lines, the Germans had to use two pieces of basswood saplings, bound together with wire from the Nieuport, to fashion a cross for the grave.
When the Germans retreated from the area, U.S. troops found the grave and made a wooden cross for it. Still later, Frenchmen constructed an elaborate marker and fence. On July 12, 1944, Quentin's brother, Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt Jr., died of a heart attack in Normandy following the World War II D-Day invasion of France. When the American memorial was established at St. Laurent-sur-Mer after the war at Omaha Beach, Theodore's remains were buried in the cemetery. Quentin's remains were then exhumed and buried at St. Laurent beside those of Theodore.
