The Theodore Roosevelt Association, founded in 1919 to promote the legacy of the 26th President, and the Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Insitute, which promotes the 32nd President’s legacy, have joined forces with the New York Council Navy League of the United States to establish the Theodore and Franklin D. Roosevelt Naval History Prize as the premier award in its field.

Christopher Breiseth, President and CEO of the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Intitute, and John Gable, Executive Director of the Theodore Roosevelt Association, announced that the prize will now include a cash award of $5,000. Robert Ravitz, President of the New York Council Navy League of the United States announced his organization will sponsor an event in New York City to honor the recipient.

The Roosevelt Naval History Prize is awarded annually to the author of a book which most usefully illuminates America’s maritime heritage and the important role seapower has played since the birth of our nation. Books to be considered this year must have been published in 2001.

The winner of the Roosevelt History Prize will be selected by a panel of judges composed of historians from the three sponsoring organizations along with historians from the three maritime service academies: Naval Academy, Annapolis MD, Coast Guard Academy, New London CT, and Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point NY. Judging panel positions are also held by scholars from the Virginia Military Institute, Princeton University, and the Naval War College.

The prize was first awarded in 1986 to former Director of the Naval History Center and current Georgetown University Professor, Ronald Spector for his book, Eagle Against The Sun. Other previous recipients include Captain Edward Beach, USN (Ret), Colonel Joseph H. Alexander, USMC (Ret), and Italian historian Professor Raimondo Luraghi. In 2001 the prize was awarded to Bill Gilbert for Ship of Miracles, a book that tells the story of the SS MEREDITH VICTORY’s evacuation of 14,000 refugees from Hungnam during Christmas 1950, the low point of the Korean War.

For details about the Theodore and Franklin D. Roosevelt Naval History Prize, please contact: Nicholas L. Ludington, Chairman of the Judging Committee (212-877-7239) or Polly Light, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute (845-229-5321).