Apples

The apple never falls far from the tree

— German proverb

Eric kills endangered animals for sport at taxpayers' expense.

Donald, Jr. raises millions for kids with cancer and pockets it.

Barron—regally named—depends on blackmail to avoid disinheritance.

These are our current president's sons.

The sons of another wealthy White House occupant, FDR, took far different paths when the nation entered World War II.

Jimmy enlisted as a captain in the Marine Corps and fought in the Pacific as a commando, earning the Navy Cross and the Silver Star. Newspapers called him the “fighting guy." He also served as a troop instructor and an intelligence officer. He served after the war in the reserves, retiring at the rank of Brigadier General.

Elliott, at first deemed 4-F, wangled a desk job in the Army Air Force, but quickly proved himself capable of flying photographic reconnaissance missions, leading the recon operations before D-Day and during the Battle of the Bulge. He flew over 300 missions during the war, was wounded twice, and received the Distinguished Flying Cross. He left service at the rank of Brigadier General.

Antique cup owned by FDR, Jr.
now in this blogger's collection

Franklin, Jr. served in ROTC at Harvard for four years before entering active duty as a Navy ensign. He participated at-sea in the North Africa campaign and the invasion of Sicily and received a Silver Star and Purple Heart. In March 1944, FDR, Jr. was promoted to Lieutenant Commander and took command of a destroyer escort in the Pacific that fought in the Philippines, Okinawa, and Iwo Jima campaigns. Upon his discharge from the Navy, he entered politics, serving as a US Congressman (and collecting antique porcelain).

John joined the Navy in 1941, applying for sea duty a year later. Hearing of his son’s application, FDR ordered that the request be denied. But John persevered and wound up on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific, where he earned a Bronze star and a promotion to Lieutenant Commander. When he learned of his father’s death in April 1945, John chose to remain at his post, rather than going home for the funeral. After the war, John continued his service in the reserves.

Read more about FDR's sons' warfighting experiences.

"June Apple" by Robert Francis James. Oil on canvas board.