James Roosevelt

James Roosevelt was the oldest son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Anna Eleanor Roosevelt. He was born in New York City at 125 E. 36th Street and graduated from Harvard University in 1930. His siblings were Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, Elliott Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt and John Aspinwall Roosevelt. Roosevelt married Betsey Cushing, one of the famous Cushing sisters. They were divorced in 1940, after having moved to Hollywood, California, where James had accepted a job with Samuel Goldwyn.

During World War II he was second-in-command of the 2nd Raider Battalion of the Marine Raiders, an early US Marine commando unit organized and trained to conduct guerrilla-style attacks behind enemy lines. Eventually he retired at the rank of Brigadier General, winning the Navy Cross and Silver Star in combat. James suffered from having flat feet, so while other Marines were required to wear boots, he was allowed to wear sneakers.