Lost in the Shadow of Fame Read online

  Lt. Josiah Collins, Jr., and I called at Major Roosevelt’s quarters, NCO building #167, Apt “F”, at approximately 7:15 PM Thursday, June 3, 1943. Finding he was not at his quarters and wishing him to contact us, a note was left requesting he get in touch with G-2. This note was addressed to Major Roosevelt and signed by me said: ‘Please contact G-2, 6/4/43 AM.’ Pfc Woyton, on duty at G-2 the night of June 3-4, received a phone call from an individual who only indentified himself as a Major, at 6:00 AM, the morning of June 4, 1943. At approximately 12:50 PM on June 4, 1943, Lt. Collins and I again visited Major Roosevelt’s quarters. On opening the door to his room a cursory look indicated the Major had suffered a nasal or other hemorrhage and was lying on the bed unconscious. The dispensary was immediately phoned and medical assistance requested. On the arrival of Lt. Gordon D. Shoeck, MC, we, for the first time, entered the room. Closer examination and discovery of the pistol partially covered by the deceased’s hands indicated suicide. In response to call, Major Meagher, Post Provost Marshall, took charge. In subsequent search no note or announcement of intentions was found.

  I had never met or spoken to Major Roosevelt. I first saw what was subsequently identified for me as Major Roosevelt when Lt. Collins and I opened the door of his room.

  Author Analysis

  Major Hoff said he left a note for Kermit to contact the G-2 Intelligence Section. As Kermit worked on classified data, it is interesting to consider why the investigation did not ask Hoff, the post censor why he wanted to contact Kermit. A perhaps more important question is why Kermit, with all of his past problems was even trusted with a security clearance. Hoff claimed that a Pfc. Woyton received a mysterious phone call the night of 3-4 from an unidentified Major. No mention is made in the inquiry (or in any record) if the Pfc. was ever questioned or if any effort was made to determine the nature of the call.

  1st Lt. Josiah Collins, Jr., Assistant G-2, ADC

  Q. “Were you acquainted with him (Major Roosevelt) and if so, state if you observed any indication of mental unsoundness?”

  A. “I didn’t know the Major very well. I met him several months ago and have seen him several times since just to speak to and have had a few short conversations with him. Since his return from the States I have only seen him twice. I saw nothing that would indicate an unsound mind.”

  Q. “Did you have occasion to visit Major Roosevelt’s quarters Thursday June 3, 1943?”

  A. “Yes. Major Hoff was acting for Lt. Colonel Choinski and wanted to meet him, but Major Roosevelt had not been in all morning and Major Hoff wondered if he was ill and if he had gone to the hospital. Major Hoff and I called Thursday evening about 7:15 and found that he was not in. His roommate in the next room, Lt. Powell, stated he had only seen the Major once and that he would give Major Roosevelt our message, which was to call G-2. Major Hoff also left a card on Major Roosevelt’s bed to that effect. I noticed a spot of smeared blood about 8 inches long and a small spot on the pillow which I thought to be blood from a nose bleed.”

  Q. “When was your next visit?”

  A. “Friday, right after lunch, about 12:45 PM, June 4, 1943. Major Hoff and I opened the door and noticed the Major apparently sleeping and that he had been bleeding. The blinds were down and the light wasn’t very good, but we could make out that there was blood on the pillow and that he was apparently unconscious. We notified the Hospital that Major Roosevelt had apparently suffered a nasal hemorrhage. The doctor, Lt. Skeoch, arrived with a Sgt. about 15 or 20 minutes later. He immediately walked in and we noticed Major Roosevelt had a .45 cal automatic pistol in his hands which was almost hidden by the manner in which he was holding it. The gun had been fired and was cocked. We later found the empty shell on the floor. He held the gun in both hands, firmly gripped. His right hand on the grip, and the left on the barrel. He was lying on his back with his hands and the gun on his chest. The blood had run out of his mouth and down on the pillow to the floor forming a large pool which we had not noticed when we opened the door before. Major Roosevelt was in his pajamas but the bed clothes were not thrown over him but were back towards the foot. We then called the Provost Marshal. Lt. Skeoch stated that the Major had been dead several hours. We searched the room for evidence of a motive. No note was found that would give any such clue. We found one unopened letter from Mrs. Edith K. Roosevelt, Oyster Bay, postmarded May 23, 1943, and 3 or 4 small containers which from the markings appeared to be sleeping or insomnia tablets. We also found some blinders which are used for keeping light out of the eyes when trying to sleep. We didn’t touch the body or gun until Major Meagher, the Post Provost Marshal arrived. All indications pointed to suicide.”

  Author Analysis

  The foregoing monolog is an interesting and curiously lengthy response to the simple question of “When was your next visit?” Rather than answering a short direct question, this sounds more like a prepared report. If this was an extemporaneous rant, the investigating officer neglected to cross-examine with many important questions and simply released the witness. For example, how did the witness know the gun was fired? Just because it was cocked? Why did Hoff and Collins not notice the large pool of blood on the floor when they initially entered the room? If Kermit’s death was a suicide, why did he bother to dress in pajamas?

  According to the report, Lt. Josiah Collins and Major Hoff were the first to discover Kermit’s body, at approximately 12:50 according to Hoff and 12.45 according to Collins. Collins said he and Hoff searched the room for evidence of a motive:

  “No note was found that would give any clue. We found one unopened letter from Mrs. Edith K. Roosevelt, Oyster Bay, postmarked May 23, 1943, and 3 or 4 small containers which from the markings appeared to be sleeping or insomnia tablet.”

  A similar statement under oath was made by the Post Provost Marshal, Major Edmund A. Meagher: “No note of his intentions was found.”

  However, Captain Charles B. Ely claimed he did find a “…handwritten document found in the possession of Major Kermit Roosevelt following his death.” Text of the note was as follows:

  Respectfully request that charges

  be preferred against me and a

  court martial instituted in order

  to clarify the my position with

  regard to my the curtailment of my

  regard to sick leave

  being curtailed two week immediately

  my being/ordered back to

  Barnes General Hospital where

  I was informed that I

  Was virtually under arrest.

  (The strikethrough text is the author’s way to indicate words that were crossed out in the text.)

  The concern expressed in this statement is stale evidence and is in regard to his stay in the hospital weeks before his death and is unlikely a suicide note but rather a weeks old note that he sent to Washington. Why would Kermit leave a suicide note requesting a court martial? Why also would he request a court martial when Loussac claimed, “He seemed to be quite happy over a new assignment he expected.” However, this may have been the military’s excuse to imply Kermit’s insanity and official justification for his suicide. The note was excluded from the official inquiry documents.

  On the day of his death, a detailed Inventory of Effects was compiled listing many dozens of items ranging from books to cigars to clothing but no suicide note is mentioned.

  In regard to a motive for suicide, the Provost Marshal’s death notice claimed, “No note of his intentions was found.”

  On June 17 the Deputy Commander of Headquarters Alaska Defense Command in Seattle sent the note to Major General H. B. Lewis in the War Department, Washington stating in his letter:

  “An examination of the effects brought to light the enclosed rough notes which appear important as they indicate a possible reason for his suicide.

  “I did not have these included in the effects because I know the War Department has been interested in this case from the beginning and more or less personally chaperoned him an
d ordered him back to

  Alaska over the objection of the Commanding General, Alaska Defense Command. In order, therefore, to avoid any unpleasant comment, I am forwarding them to you for such disposition as appears appropriate.”

  The question must be raised; if Collins and Hoff searched the room for evidence and found none, how did the note from Kermit surface? Was it discovered later when his belongings were being inventoried prior to being sent to his next of kin? If so, this is a peculiar and un-dramatic way to express one’s plan to suicide. Particularly when the alleged motive is old information and preceded a period of contentment and mental stability as indicated by his later discussions with Loussac.

  Additionally, what Collins said they discovered in Kermit’s room was a few bottles of sedatives, 1st Lt. Gordon D. Skeoch who assisted the Provost Marshal in searching Kermit’s room said they found “…no notes or evidence of any kind.” In response to a question of finding any alcohol or drugs, besides the sedatives, Skeoch said they found “…2 or 3 empty bottles (of alcohol) in the room...” which Collins and Hoff did not mention, or find.

  2nd Lt. Guy H. Johnson

  Q. “Did you live in the same quarters with him?

  A. “Yes. In the same quarters in the next room.”

  Q. “How often did you see Major Roosevelt in the week preceding his death?”

  A. “About every morning – just to say hello however.”

  Q. “Did you notice anything that would indicate an unsound mind or abnormal mental condition?”

  A. “No sir. I noticed nothing out of the way.”

  Q. “Did you see him the morning of Friday, June 4th?”

  A. “Yes sir. Just to say hello.”

  Q. “What time?”

  A. “About 7:15. I met him in the aisle on his way to the toilet.”

  Q. “Did he appear to be intoxicated?”

  A. “No sir and I would have been close enough to him to smell whiskey if he had had any.”

  Q. “What about his physical condition?”

  A. “Apparently all right. He walked to the bathroom and appeared to be steady

  and his movements positive.”

  Q. “Where did you go after you left Friday morning?”

  A. “I went to work and didn’t come back until after lunch at 12.45. I didn’t notice anything then but went back later between 2:30 & 3:00 PM – his door was open, the body gone, and while I was there a 1st Lt. and a T/5/G came in and gathered up his personal belongings.

  Author Analysis

  The sanitizing of Kermit’s room appears to have occurred very fast following the discovery of his body. This testimony appears to conflict with the accounts of his being drunk and the autopsy finding of 2.50mgm per cc of alcohol in his blood or any unsound mind. Additionally, Johnson was not questioned as to the time he left for work in the morning and with his room next to Kermit’s he was not asked if he heard any gunshot. In fact, no one ever mentioned hearing any gunshot and the report from a .45 is very loud. Wouldn’t someone in or around a multiunit billet have heard a gunshot?

  Captain James Edgar Nichols, in charge of Officer’s Ward in post hospital –

  Q. “Did you have a chance to observe his mental condition and if so did you

  notice anything out of the ordinary?”

  A. “His mental condition was good.”

  Q. “Did you notice anything at any time that would indicate an unsound mind or abnormal mental condition?”

  A. “No Sir. However, I haven’t seen him since his last treatment (for malaria) the 31st of May.”

  Author Analysis

  Yet again, testimony that indicated Kermit was of sound mind.

  Colonel Luther R. Moore, Surgeon

  Q. “How well did you know him?”

  A. “I was associated with him daily for several months last year.”

  Q. “I will ask you to state the circumstances of your association with him, especially as to any indication of the soundness or unsoundness of mind.”

  A. “From September 18, 1942 to January 25, 1943, Major Kermit Roosevelt lived in Apartment H, Building 167, which was directly above Apartment D in which I was living. During this period our contact was daily, meeting in the hallway and at intervals visiting in each others rooms. Major Roosevelt was cheerful as a rule but it was noticeable that he appeared to be absent minded and was to be seen gazing as in study or walking slowly as if in concentrated thought at frequent intervals. His manner was that of a gentleman, solicitous of his fellow man’s well being, but paradoxically he frequently came home late at night and almost invariably would make a great deal of noise in his room before retiring. The noises consisted of whistling, humming tunes, moving the bed and chairs, dropping shoes, and similar activities. This was annoying to other officers in the apartment, and as senior officer in the building I spoke to Major Roosevelt on two occasions regarding the noise made in his room late in the evening and depriving other occupants of their rest. The officer, Major H. G. Hahn, living directly under Major Roosevelt’s room, was markedly disturbed and lost his rest continually during this period. Major Roosevelt registered sincere surprise when informed that he was making an undue amount of noise and stated that he was careful to move quietly and did procure a rug for his floor. The noise continued unchanged and it was apparent that he had little conception of its reality and the question of eccentricity or mental failure to grasp the significance was in the balance.

  In contact with Major Roosevelt in his staff work I had occasion to note delay and lack of decision in his action on matters pertaining mutually to our sections.

  I do not consider Major Roosevelt’s actions as those of average normal mental function during this period.

  I have not seen Major Roosevelt drunk or under the influence of narcotics at any time and have had no occasion to give any consideration to drinking as a cause for his actions.

  Author Analysis

  Although Moore provides the most critical testimony in regard to Kermit’s state of mind, his criticism raises questions: Kermit may have been a noisy neighbor. Living in the confined space of a military billet which are generally not designed as plush, comfortable quarters could magnify the idiosyncrasies of an adjoining neighbor. Moore’s claim that “…apparent that he had little conception of its reality…” is questionable considering Kermit exerted the effort to procure a rug to muffle any sounds. Also questionable is Moore’s claim to “had occasion to note delay and lack of decision in his action on matters pertaining mutually to our sections.” Kermit was assigned to G2, the Intelligence Section and was working on the Alaska Digest which was a classified, secret project. Moore, as a surgeon in the post hospital would have no cause to be working on matters pertaining mutually to their sections; there is little probability these matters existed.

  Lt. Col. Herbert G. Hahn, Infantry

  Q. “How well did you know him?”

  A. “Only casually.”

  Q. “Did you know him well enough to be able to express an opinion as to his mental stability?”

  A. “I believe so. In my opinion, I believed him to (be) slightly unbalanced mentally. I base this opinion on his past actions as follows: He was absentminded and forgetful; lacked coordination of movement and always appeared to be lost in deep meditation when walking. Even though he passed quite near one, he would rarely speak – not, as I have always believed, from a desire of not wanting to speak, but rather from a point of view of not having realized that he had passed you by. Major Roosevelt occupied the small room in apartment H, NCO building #167, which was directly over the small room occupied by myself in apartment D of the same building. His usual habit was to return to his quarters each evening between the hours of 11:30 PM and 2:00 AM of the following morning. Upon entering his room, he would drag his chair roughly across the floor, open and close his desk drawers with a bang, slide shoes, etc, across the floor and make an unusual number of trips from his room to the bathroom and kitchen stopping halfway between, return to his r
oom and do the same thing over and over again nightly. No matter what time he returned home, he never retired under less than forty-five minutes to an hour. Naturally, this action on his part disturbed my sleep and I – as well as other officers in the quarters – spoke to him about his actions requesting him to be a little more quiet. He appeared to be very sorry about this, apologized and stated that he would be more careful in the future. Then on the next night and subsequent nights – it would be a repetition of former nights over and over again. He also lacked rhythm in his movements because he would tap on the floor with his feet while humming and whistling, the latter being out of rhythm with the former, always denying that he ever tapped on the floor, hummed or whistled – and all of which led me to believe that he was totally unaware of the fact that he was in reality doing just those things particularly during the early hours of the morning and all of which made it extremely uncomfortable for the person occupying quarters directly beneath him and which, had he of been in full possession of his faculties, would have never happened I am sure.

  Q. “Did he use intoxicating liquors or narcotics to excess to your knowledge?”

  A. “Not to my knowledge.”

  Q. “Anything else you would care to add that would throw light on this matter?”

  A. “Nothing except his taking his own life came as a surprise to myself.”

  Author Analysis

  The only other testimony that corroborates Moore is Hahn’s testimony which also has holes in it and to some may be considered comical. He states he knows Kermit only casually yet he claims Kermit was slightly unbalanced mentally. He bases his unqualified medical opinion on “He was absentminded and forgetful; lacked coordination of movement and always appeared to be lost in deep meditation when walking.” Absentminded and forgetful sounds like numerous people in society (including the author) who are not unbalanced mentally. Perhaps his lack of coordination of movement and his appearance of being lost in deep meditation when walking resulted from his gastronomical problems and suffering from numerous other painful ailments acquired over the years.