Evening star., 1936-11-25

ance with standard procedure. He
fulfilled all the professional and physi-
cal requirements for commission. At
the present time, we are endeavoring
to increase the United States Marine
Corps Reserve and I am sure that
Lieut.. Col. Roosevelt will make an
excellent officer and be jealous in the
discharge Of his duties. Like his
father, he has always been interested
in the Navy and Marine Corps. was
very glad to appoint him and wish
the Marine Corps had many more
like him"
Record Not Available.
Lieut.. Col. Roosevelt's official record
is not available for public inspection
at Marine Corps Headquarters and the
authorities there seemed to be vague
on just what his prior military train
ing has been. But, the officials re-
called, there have been many famous
names on the roster of Army. Navy
and Marine Corps reservists. Wallace
Beery, the famous movie star, is
lieutenant commander in the Navy.
Representative Melvin j. Mas, Re-
publican of Minnesota, is a major in
the Marine Corps Reserve. and Gene
Tunney of boxing and Shakespearean
fame, held that status until recent in
creased civilian duties forced him to
resign his commission. Frank M.
Hawks, the famous flyer. Is lieuten-
ant commander in the Naval Reserve.
CborIaS Tipdhoroh hos 1opu held q
colonelcy In the Army Reserve.
In the forthcoming official functions
in South America, Lieut.. Col. Roose-
velt will be frequently at the elbow
of his distinguished father, escorting
the President officially. Officers say
that he will make fine-looking ofhcer
in the uniform of the Marines, as he
stands some feet 2 in height. As q
civilian. he has been used to appearing
in public with his father and well IN
derstands the requirements Of custom.
Son Supplies Deficiency.
President Roosevelt has q military
aide in Col. Edwin M. Watson and
naval aide in Capt. Paul H. Bastedo,
but he has had no Marine Corps aide.
His son James supplies this deficiency.
The commissioning of James Roose-
welt evoked some good-natured banter
ing among officers Of the various
services.
"The Marines have gone and put
one over on US again." said . promi-
nent naval officer.
We'll, you got Wallace Beery after
we offered to make him an aviation
gunnery sergeant" replied = Marine
Corps officer.
But James is not the first of the
famous Roosevelt family to hold .
commission as q Marine. The late
Henry Latrobe Roosevelt, his distant
cousin, the former Assistant Secretary
Of the Navy, was lieutenant colonel
in the regular service. After his res
ignation and his return to oficial life,
he became a colonel in the Reserve.
Aboard the U. s. s. Indianapolis
there are two other Marine Corps ON
GERS, regulars. who are quietly coach
ing" the rookie lieutenant colonel in
the finer points of the military life.
They are Capt. John D. Blanchard,
who bears the additional title of assist
ant aide to the President for the time
being, and Second Lieut.. p. s. Ivey.
They are in charge of the Marine de-
tachment aboard the cruiser.
Every candidate for commission
in the Marine Corps Reserve must be
recommended and pass the physical
examination. Ofiicers hint that Lieut.
Col. James had no difficulty in pre-
senting the highest credentials and he
passed the physical" with flying
colors.