U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt
32nd President of the United States 1933–1945

Background
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born January 30, 1882 in Hyde Park, New York to parents James Roosevelt and his second wife Sara Ann Delano who were sixth cousins. Known by his initials, FDR. In 1905, he married his fifth cousin once removed, Eleanor Roosevelt and the couple had six children with five surviving to adulthood.

As an elected official, Roosevelt served in the New York State Senate 1911–1913. Next, he was appointed by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson as Assistant Secretary of the Navy 1913–1920. Afterwards, he was elected as 44th Governor of New York State between 1929–1932. He was elected as the 32nd President of the United States of America (USA). Roosevelt is the longest serving U.S. President in history who was elected and served four terms between 1933–1945.

On July 1, 1933 Roosevelt boarded USS Indianapolis (CA-35) at Campobello Island in New Brunswick, Canada and two days later arrived at Annapolis, Maryland where where six members of his Cabinet toured the battleship then the President disembarked on July 4, 1933.

On July 1, 1934 at Annapolis boards Houston USS Houston (CA-30) for a tour.

On November 18, 1936 Roosevelt again boarded USS Indianapolis (CA-35) at Charleston for a "Good-Neighbor" cruise to South America visiting Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Montevideo then returned to Charleston on December 15, 1936 where the President disembarked.

On July 14, 1938 visits USS Houston (CA-30) for Fleet Review at San Francisco.

On January 4, 1939 again aboard USS Houston (CA-30) with Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral William D. Leahy for "Fleet Problem XX" departing San Francisco via the Panama Canal via Key West and Norfolk.

World War II
During World War II, Roosevelt was U.S. President and supported Britain and the Allies with armaments as part of the "Arsenal of Democracy" and began to ramp up the U.S. economy for war. Against Japanese aggression in Asia, the Roosevelt administration attempted sanctions and embargoes.

On December 7, 1941 Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and Oahu and meanwhile across the international date line on December 8, 1941 Japanese aircraft attacked American possessions including the Philippines and Guam. On December 8, 1941 Roosevelt addressed U.S. Congress and famously said the Hawaii attack was "a date which will live in infamy" and within an hour Congress passed a formal declaration of war against Japan and officially brought the U.S. into World War II. On December 11, 1941 Nazi Germany declared war on the United States in what they claimed were a series of provocations and later that day, the U.S. officially declared war on Germany.

On January 1, 1942 Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill sign the Joint Declaration of the United Nations (United Nations Declaration). Only the United States and Britain had discussed the document's creation, but ultimately representatives of 24 other nations, including the Soviet Union and China, will sign. There will be no separate peace agreements; the signatories pledge to fight until the Axis is defeated.

On January 14, 1942 Roosevelt issues Presidential Proclamation No. 2537 requiring aliens from Axis nations: Japan, Italy and Germany to register with the United States Department of Justice. Registered persons were then issued a Certificate of Identification for Aliens of Enemy Nationality. On will begin the internment of Japanese Americans.

On February 19, 1942 Roosevelt signs Executive Order 9066 with the intention of preventing espionage on American shores. Military zones were created in California, Washington and Oregon all three with large population of Japanese Americans and the executive order began the relocation of roughly 117,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry, the majority of whom were U.S. citizens.

On May 19, 1942 Roosevelt bestows the Medal of Honor to General James H. Doolittle for his role leading the April 18, 1942 "Doolittle Raid" against Japan.

On May 25, 1942 at the White House, Roosevelt meets 2nd Lt. George S. Welch who claimed four aerial victories during the Japanese attack on Oahu.

On March 25, 1943 at the White House, Roosevelt presents the Medal of Honor (MOH) to Kenneth N. Walker, Jr. son of Brigadier General Kenneth N. Walker who went Missing In Action (MIA) on a mission against Rabaul.

On February 8, 1944 at 11:30am Roosevelt bestows the Medal of Honor on 1st Lt. Kenneth A. Walsh at the White House.

On July 22, 1944 Roosevelt embarked aboard USS Baltimore (CA-68) and proceeds to Pearl Harbor for meetings with commanders and to encourage Americans that the President is devoting his personal attention to the Pacific War. On July 26, 1944 arrives Pearl Harbor and photographed with General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Chester W. Nimitz aboard. On July 28, 1944 in Honolulu Roosevelt discusses strategy with General Douglas MacArthur, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz and Admiral William D. Leahy. Ultimately, General MacArthur prevails upon the President and Admiral Nimitz to accord priority to the liberation of the Philippines. Afterwards, Baltimore transports Roosevelt to Alaska on August 3, 1944 arrives Adak and the next day departs bound for Kodiak. On August 9, 1944 shifts to USS Cummings (DD-365) to visit Puget Sound Navy Yard.

On January 23, 1945 embarks aboard USS Quincy (CA-71) at Newport News and starts the voyage to participate in ARGONAUT Conferences at Malta and Yalta. In early February 1945, Roosevelt attends the Yalta Conference at Yalta in the Crimean. During the conference, the "Big Three" Allied leaders met for the last time: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin. Also in attendance were senior U.S. military leaders including Fleet Admiral Ernest King, Fleet Admiral William D. Leahy, General of the Army George Marshall, Major General Laurence S. Kuter, General. At the conference, Roosevelt appeared frail and tired signs the stress of the war was taking a toll on his health.

On March 29, 1945 Roosevelt traveled to the Little White House in Warm Springs, Georgia for rest. On April 12, 1945 at 3:45pm he died at age 63 of intracerebral hemorrhage. Afterwards, Vice President Harry S. Truman was sworn in as the 33rd U.S. President. On April 13, 1945 Roosevelt's body was transported by train to Washington, D. C. with thousands paying respect as the train passed. On April 14, 1945 after a White House Funeral his coffin was transported by train back to his hometown of Hyde Park.

Memorials
On April 15, 1945 Roosevelt was laid to rest according to his wishes at the Rose Garden of the Roosevelt's Springwood Estate in Hyde Park, NY. His grave is a U.S. National Historic Site at the F. D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Archives, the first Presidential Library established for any U.S. President.

On May 8, 1945 USS Coral Sea was renamed USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42) commissioned October 27, 1945 on Navy Day on a recommendation from the Secretary of the Navy approved by U.S. President Harry S. Truman.

In 1965, the FDR Memorial was dedicated at the National Archives in Washington, D. C. with the words "In memory of Franklin Delano Roosevelt" dedicated by family and close friends and the modest memorial was intentional, envisioned by FDR himself.

On May 2, 1997 the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial was dedicated at 400 West Basin Drive SW, Washington D.C. 20002.

Relatives
Eleanor Roosevelt (wife)
Anna Roosevelt (daughter born 1906)
James Roosevelt (son, born 1907 died 1991)
Franklin Roosevelt (son, born 1909 died as infant)
Elliott Roosevelt (son, born 1910)
Franklin Roosevelt (son, born 1914)
John Roosevelt (son, born 1916)

References
The White House - Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
National Park Service (NPS) Home Of Franklin D Roosevelt National Historic Site
NARA "The other FDR Memorial" by Jessiekratz April 10, 2015
National Park Service (NPS) Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
FindAGrave - Franklin Delano Roosevelt (photo, grave photo)

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