"During WWII was second-in-command of the 2nd Raider Battalion of the Marine Raiders, an early US Marine commando unit organized and trained to conduct guerrilla-style attacks behind enemy lines. Eventually he retired at the rank of Brigadier General, winning the Navy Cross and Silver Star in combat. James suffered from having flat feet, so while soldiers were required to wear boots, he was allowed to wear sneakers. In 1965, Roosevelt lost in an attempt to unseat Sam Yorty as Mayor of Los Angeles, California. Roosevelt died in Newport Beach, California in 1991 of complications arising from a stroke and parkinsons disease. He was 83." --- wikipedia.org