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Jacob DeversGeneral of the US Army.
Date of Birth: 08.09.1887
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Jacob Loucks Devers: A General's Journey
- Military Career
- Rise through the Ranks
- Commanding General
- European Theatre
- Post-War and Retirement
- Military Rank Advancement
Jacob Loucks Devers: A General's Journey
Early Life and EducationJacob Loucks Devers was born in York, Pennsylvania, in 1887. Raised in a devout Evangelical Lutheran family, he graduated high school in 1905. With the support of a congressman, he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point. In 1909, he graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Field Artillery.
Military Career
Devers' first assignment was with the 1st Battalion, 4th Field Artillery Regiment, based in Washington Barracks, Vancouver. He later commanded a horse-drawn field artillery battery in Cheyenne, Wyoming. In 1912, Devers was recalled to West Point as an instructor in mathematics. He received the rank of 1st Lieutenant in 1916.
During World War I, Devers served in Hawaii with the 9th Artillery Regiment. Although he did not see combat, he later traveled to Europe to study artillery tactics and weaponry. Upon his return, he became a professor at West Point, attaining the rank of Major.
Rise through the Ranks
In 1924, Devers was sent to the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. After graduating in 1925, he commanded the Artillery Department at the Field Artillery School in Fort Sill. In 1929, he was transferred to Washington, D.C., to serve in the Office of the Chief of Field Artillery. He subsequently attended the Army War College, graduating in 1933.
Commanding General
In 1940, Devers rose to become the youngest Brigadier General in the U.S. Army. He commanded the Provisional Brigade in the District of Columbia and the 9th Infantry Division at Fort Bragg. In August 1941, he became the Army's Chief of Armored Force.
European Theatre
In 1943, Devers became commander of the U.S. forces in the European Theater of Operations (ETOUSA). After D-Day, he was transferred to North Africa as commander of the American troops there. In August 1944, he led the invasion of Southern France in Operation Dragoon.
Post-War and Retirement
In 1945, Devers was appointed Commanding General of U.S. Army Ground Forces. Four years later, he retired from active duty and became Vice President of Fairchild Aircraft. In 1949, he was awarded the rank of General on the Retired List.
Military Rank Advancement
1936: Colonel (Permanent)May 1940: Brigadier General (Permanent)
October 1940: Major General (Temporary)
September 6, 1942: Lieutenant General (Temporary)
March 8, 1945: General (Temporary)
September 30, 1949: General (Retired)
