Their efforts paid off yesterday when Congress gave final approval to a bill that authorizes President Bill Clinton to grant Roosevelt the Medal of Honor for leading the Rough Riders in the Battle of San Juan Hill during the Spanish-American War a century ago.

"We're absolutely delighted that it passed with the unanimous consent of both houses," said Tweed Roosevelt, a 56-year-old Boston investment adviser.

White House spokeswoman Julie Goldberg indicated the president would sign the measure that could lead to Roosevelt becoming the first president to receive the medal.

The bill "authorizes and requests" the president to award the medal. In a compromise to placate legislators who did not want to offend the Army, a letter signed by five key senators and congressmen involved in the issue will accompany the bill to the White House. It notes that they supported the legislation with the understanding that Clinton "will seek the advice of the Secretary of the Army" who "will prepare a full and formal record of Theodore Roosevelt's valor."

Congressional sources expect Clinton to award the medal regardless of whatever recommendation comes from Army Secretary Louis Caldera, who is expected to oppose the medal.

Three Army generals above Roosevelt in the chain of command, including two who had already won the Medal of Honor themselves, recommended him for the medal. But secretary of war Russell Alger refused to act because Roosevelt had criticized the McKinley administration's failure to bring the troops home from Cuba promptly to protect them from disease. Roosevelt's strenuous and public campaign for the medal also alienated many in the military and government.

The effort to have the award posthumously presented to Roosevelt during the war's centennial year began more than a year ago when the Oyster Bay-based Theodore Roosevelt Association and Rep. Rick Lazio (R-Brightwaters) asked the Army to re-evaluate the initial rejection. Independently, Rep. Paul McHale (D-Pa.), a 26-year Marine veteran, introduced a bill to have Congress award the medal.

McHale agreed to a suggestion by the Pentagon to wait on pressing his legislation so the Army's review process could run its course. But several months ago, the Senior Army Decorations Board recommended that the medal again be denied. So McHale earlier this month urged Caldera, who was reviewing the application but was expected to deny it, to delay any decision. He then moved forward with his bill, which passed the House on a voice vote two weeks ago. It was helped by support from the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Navy League.

"Those who served with Teddy Roosevelt never doubted his courage," McHale said on the House floor. He added that the medal recommendation had been "fully endorsed by the military chain of command. After Theodore Roosevelt died, his widow, Edith, said having been recommended for the Medal of Honor and having not received it was one of the most significant disappointments of Roosevelt's life."

The path toward a medal for Roosevelt began a week after the Spanish-American war began in April, 1898. Roosevelt resigned as assistant Navy secretary and teamed up with his friend Leonard Wood to form the First United States Volunteer Cavalry, soon to be popularly known as the Rough Riders. The regiment was involved in two battles in Cuba.

Roosevelt, conspicuous as the only American on horseback, led dismounted Rough Riders and white and black Army regulars up Kettle Hill. Then he led them in the larger assault on San Juan Hill. He was nicked in the elbow by one Spanish bullet, and another knocked off his glasses.

Copyright 1998 Newsday