White House Historical Association

Vogie J. Fleet

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"Vogie J. Fleet," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/966.
Position
Custodian
Years in President's House
circa 1943 – 1944
Legal Status
Free Person
Gender
Male
Race/Ethnicity
Black or African American
Presidency
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Biography
Vogie James Fleet Sr. was born on June 27, 1905, in Prince William County, Virginia. (1) For the majority of his career, Fleet worked as a laborer with the federal government, and is sometimes listed on staff at the State Department and Office of Public Buildings and Public Parks. (2) He was assigned to the White House for at least some of his career, although it is difficult to discern the specific years of his service. He appears on a 1943 staff Christmas list compiled by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, and on a 1944 White House staff roster. The latter provides insight to his duties, which included cleaning the Residence and the East Wing. (3) Further information about his life and career is limited. Fleet died on November 7, 1952, and was buried at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Suitland, Maryland. (4)
(1) Vogie James Fleet in the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Wwii Draft Registration Cards For District of Columbia, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 75, Ancestry.com.
(2) Ibid; Boyd’s District of Columbia Directory (Washington, D.C.: R. L. Polk and Co., 1934), 592.
(3) "Roster of White House Employees, Revised, April 1, 1944, "Folder: Investigative Case Files, 1934-1945, Records of the United States Secret Service, 1933-1945, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York; "Christmas List for December 25, 1943 for the Men and & Wife & Children Up to 14 Years of Age," 1943, Folder: Christmas Lists; Topical File, 1933-1945, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Papers, Part 1, 1884-1964, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York.
(4) “Fleet, Vogie James,” Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), November 11, 1952, pg. 10.
Birthplace
Prince William County, Virginia, USA