American Politicians of the Day: James Roosevelt and Larkin Smith: 13.08
In history some political careers end quietly after long decades of public life, while others are cut off in an instant, without warning. Both patterns played out on the same calendar date, August 13, in 2 very different American stories. James Roosevelt, the eldest son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and a 6 term Congressman from California, died on August 13, 1991, after a long life spent largely in the public eye. 2 years earlier, on the very same date in 1989, Larkin Smith, a freshman congressman from Mississippi, was killed in a small plane crash barely seven months into his very first term.
This article looks at both men, their very different paths into politics, and the strange coincidence that connects their final days.
James Roosevelt: Living in the Shadow and Light of a Famous Name
Growing Up in the White House
James Roosevelt II was born on December 23, 1907, in New York City, the eldest son of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt. He grew up watching his father rise through New York politics and eventually into the presidency, and by his early twenties he was already a familiar presence at his father’s side during campaign events. He was educated at Groton School and later attended Harvard University, following the traditional path expected of a young man from his family.
Serving His Country in Uniform
Before building his own political career, Roosevelt served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, eventually rising to the rank of brigadier general. He fought in major Pacific battles, including Makin and Okinawa, and was awarded both the Navy Cross and the Silver Star for his actions in combat. This military record gave him credibility that extended well beyond his family name.
A Political Career of His Own
After the war, Roosevelt built his own political identity in California, chairing the state’s Democratic Party before winning election to the United States House of Representatives in 1954. He went on to serve six consecutive terms representing California’s 26th district, from 1955 until 1965. Later in life, he remained active in public causes, including leading an organization focused on protecting Social Security and Medicare for older Americans.
A Long Life Comes to a Close
By the time of his death, Roosevelt had outlived every one of his siblings and was the last surviving child of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. He passed away on August 13, 1991, at his home in Newport Beach, California, at the age of 83, after struggling with complications from a stroke and Parkinson’s disease. His life had spanned nearly the entire twentieth century, from the early days of his father’s political rise to the final years of the Cold War.
Larkin Smith: A Career Cut Short in Its First Year
From Small Town Mississippi to Law Enforcement
Larkin Irvin Smith was born on June 26, 1944, in Poplarville, Mississippi. Long before entering politics, he built a career in law enforcement, working his way up through the Pearl River County and Harrison County sheriff’s departments. He eventually became chief of police in Gulfport, Mississippi, and later served as sheriff of Harrison County, earning a reputation as a tough, hands on lawman who understood his community from the ground up.
A Fast Rise Into Congress
In 1988, Smith ran for the United States House of Representatives from Mississippi’s 5th congressional district, a seat opened up when longtime Congressman Trent Lott moved on to run for the Senate. Smith won the election and brought his law enforcement background directly into his legislative work, quickly becoming known among colleagues as an energetic advocate for tougher crime and anti drug policies.
A Sudden and Shocking Loss
Smith had served in Congress for only seven months when tragedy struck. On the night of August 13, 1989, he was flying home from a Little League baseball event in Hattiesburg when the small private plane carrying him crashed in the DeSoto National Forest near New Augusta, Mississippi. Both Smith and his pilot were killed. Investigators later determined that the pilot was not properly certified to fly in the hazy nighttime conditions the aircraft encountered. Smith was only 45 years old, and his death came just days after another sitting Congressman, Mickey Leland of Texas, had also died in a separate plane crash overseas, making it an especially painful week for the House of Representatives.
2 Very Different Political Lives, One Shared Date
The contrast between these two men could hardly be sharper. Roosevelt entered politics carrying one of the most recognizable names in American history and spent decades building on that foundation across military service, party leadership, and Congress. Smith, by comparison, built his entire career from the ground up in local law enforcement before reaching Washington, only to have that promising new chapter end almost as soon as it began.
Yet both men, in their own way, represent something familiar about American public service. One shows what a long career of steady involvement in politics can look like across an entire lifetime. The other is a reminder of how quickly that same kind of promising career can be taken away, regardless of how much potential still lay ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.Who was James Roosevelt?
James Roosevelt was the eldest son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt. He served as a Marine Corps officer during World War II and later represented California in the United States House of Representatives for six terms.
2.How did James Roosevelt die?
He died on August 13, 1991, at his home in Newport Beach, California, at the age of 83, from complications related to a stroke and Parkinson’s disease.
3.Who was Larkin Smith?
Larkin Smith was a former sheriff and police chief from Mississippi who was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1988, representing the state’s 5th congressional district.
4.How did Larkin Smith die?
Smith died on August 13, 1989, when the small private plane he was traveling in crashed in the DeSoto National Forest in Mississippi. He was 45 years old and had served in Congress for only seven months.
5.Is there any connection between Roosevelt and Smith beyond the date?
No direct connection is on record. They belonged to different political parties and represented different states, and their deaths were separated by two years, sharing only the calendar date of August 13.
Disclaimer
This article is written for informational and historical purposes only, based on publicly available records, congressional archives, and verified news reports. It is not affiliated with either individual’s family or political party. Readers seeking complete or official records are encouraged to consult the official Biographical Directory of the United States Congress or verified historical archives directly.