South American Expedition and Serious Illness

In 1913, Roosevelt led a 16-member expedition into the tropical rainforest of the Amazon River in Brazil. His experiences were later written into the book Through the Brazilian Wilderness. The expedition explored the headwaters of the River of Doubt. This river was later renamed the Roosevelt River in honor of his achievement.

During the river expedition, Roosevelt suffered a minor leg injury that became infected, and he also contracted malaria, resulting in prolonged high fever. Fearing that he would burden the entire expedition, he asked to be left behind. His son Kermit insisted on accompanying him, and the expedition doctor cared for him attentively, pulling him back from the brink of death. This illness caused Roosevelt to lose 20 kilograms in weight. He later told friends that this severe illness had shortened his life by ten years. Afterwards, because the malaria and leg injury did not fully heal, he required hospitalization.

Desire to Fight in Europe, Death of His Son

In 1914, the First World War broke out. When the United States entered the war in 1917, Roosevelt volunteered to organize an infantry unit of volunteers and go to Europe to fight, but President Wilson rejected the request.

In 1918, recurring malaria further weakened his health. That same year, his youngest son, Quentin, joined the air force and went to France to fight. His aircraft was shot down, and he was killed in action. Quentin was the son whose spirit and temperament most resembled his father. The grief of losing his son meant that Roosevelt’s health never fully recovered.

The Old Lion Passes Away

Despite being plagued by illness in his later years, Roosevelt remained optimistic, continued participating in Boy Scouts activities, and was awarded the title of “Chief Scout Citizen.” On January 6, 1919, Roosevelt passed away peacefully at his home in New York at the age of 61. His son Archie sent a telegram to relatives and friends, saying: “The old lion is dead.”