Teddy Roosevelt Jr. at Utah Beach: The Only General to Land in the First Wave

Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jr., son of President Theodore Roosevelt, was the only general officer to land with the first wave on D-Day. At 56 years old and with a bad heart (he carried a cane), he landed at the wrong beach in the first wave — over 2,000 yards off target. Instead of demanding a correction, he walked the beach in the rain under fire, reconnoitered, and found a causeway exit. He then returned to the landing zone and personally directed subsequent waves to land at the correct location, telling troops 'We'll start the war from right here.' He died of a heart attack in France 36 days later and was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.