Devine, John Matthew, born 18-06-1895, in Providence, Rhode Island, US
as the son of Patrick and Bridget Devine. John graduated from the La Salle Academy in Providence in May 1912 and received an appointment to the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York,
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While at the academy, he was a member of the Class 1917, “The class the stars fell on” which produced more than 55 future General officers, including two Army Chiefs of Staff – Joseph L. Collins
and Matthew Bunker Ridgway
The class the stars fell on” is an expression used to describe the class of 1915 at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. In the United States Army, the insignia reserved for Generals is one or more stars. Of the 164 graduates that year, 59 (36%) attained the rank of General, more than any other class in the history of the academy, hence the expression. Two graduates reached the rank of five-star General of the Army, two were four-star Generals, seven three-star Lieutenant Generals, 24 two-star Major Generals, and 24 one-star Brigadier Generals. Dwight David “Ike” Eisenhower,
one of the five-star Generals, went on to become the 34th President of the United States. The other, Omar Bradley,
became the first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, under Presidents Harry Shipp Truman
and Eisenhower. After Japanese leaders flatly rejected the Potsdam Declaration, President Truman authorized use of the atomic bomb anytime after 03-08-1945. On the clear morning of August 6, the first atomic bomb, nicknamed Little Boy,
was dropped on the city of Hiroshima.
Leveling over 60 percent of the city, 70,000 residents died instantaneously in a searing flash of heat. Three days later, on August 9, a second bomb, Fat Man,
was dropped on Nagasaki.
Over 20,000 people died instantly. In the successive weeks, thousands more Japanese died from the after effects of the radiation exposure of the blast.
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Devine was subsequently ordered to Camp Doniphan, Oklahoma, where he was stationed until July 1918, when he embarked for Europe to reinforce American Expeditionary Force. Following his arrival to France, Devine was attached as an Instructor to the Army Field Artillery Center at Valdahon. He was later transferred to the Fourteen Training Area at Villouxel, Dijon and was promoted to the temporary rank of major. Devine returned to the United States in June 1919 and reverted to the peacetime rank of captain on 30-06-1919. He then rejoined his 3rd Field Artillery Regiment at Camp Grant, Illinois and served with that outfit until August 1921, when he was ordered to the Yale University.
Devine graduated with Master of Science degree in communications engineering in June 1922
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Assigned as assistant Chief of Staff in the 1st Armored Division.
Chief of Staff in this division from December 1941 until May 1942 and from May 1942 he was Commanding Combat Officer in Command A of the 6th Armored Division
to 23-09-1943. From 24-09-1943 he was assigned as commanding officer with the 90th Infantry, nicknamed “Tough Ombres”,
with Major General, Henry Terrell Jr.
who died age 80, on 03-10-1971, until 08-09-1944. Casualties during their European campaign, total-7.549 (KIA-1.091; WIA-6.458). The United States Army suffered 318.274 killed and missing in all theatres of the war. John Matthew Devine lead the 90th as Brigadier General of Artillery in 05-04-1944. He believed leadership in small groups played a large role into his success. He fought in Normandy. The whole 90th Division consisted of 19.200 people, which is one of the biggest divisions in World War II. The 90th Infantry was one of the toughest divisions, they had several nicknames such as the “Alamo Division” or the “Tough Hombres”. The 90th Infantry was sent over seas 0 4-04-1944 then fought their first battle in 09-06-1944, after the beginning D-Day.! General Devine took over his position as brigadier general on 05-04-1944. As head of artillery, his main job was to give fire support. He fought along side General James Maurice “Slim Jim” Gavin
in some of the battles. During the battles he was able to provide artillery support while fighting The 90th Infantry artillery battalion was part of the ETO, which means General Devine’s company was the only artillery company in his whole division. He was the commander of the sole artillery company in his division, which gave him a large responsibility. Then Commanding Officer Combat Command B, with the 7th Armored Division, nickname “Lucky Seventh”
. Casualties during their 172 days of combat 5.799. From 02-10-1944 Commanding General with the 8th Armored Division, nickname “Golden Arrow Division”
with assistant commander, Major General, Donald Armpriester Stroh
who died age 61, on 20-12-1953. The 8th Armored Division is what he is best known for. The battle of the Bulge, which was considered to be Hitler’s (see Hitler) (did you know) last stand. Devine was hand selected by President Dwight “Ike ” Eisenhower to lead the 8th Armored Division, nicknamed “Iron Snake”
. The 8th Armored Division with total authorized strength: 10.937, total battle casualties: 2.011 and total deaths in battle: 469. With the 8th he fought in the heart of Europe where he help propel the allies to victory. From August 1945 until November 1946 he was Commanding General of the 2nd Armored Division, nickname “Hells on Wheels”, During World War II, the 2nd Armored Division took 94.151 prisoners-of-war, liberated 22.538 Allied prisoners of war, shot down or damaged on the ground 266 enemy aircraft, and destroyed or captured uncountable thousands of enemy tanks and other equipment and supplies. In 238 battle days, the 2nd Armored suffered 7.348 casualties, including 1.160 killed in action. The division was recognized for distinguished service and bravery with 9.369 individual awards, including two Medals of Honor, twenty-three Distinguished Service Crosses, and 2.302 Silver Stars
as well as nearly 6.000 Purple Hearts.
He then became the Commanding General with the Universal Military Training Experimental Unit. Following the assistant of the staff with the Army Field Forces until May 1948. Deputy Chief with the same Army Field Forces to February 1949, Commanding General of the 1st Cavalry Division “First Team”
to 02-10-1948 and Commanding General with the 9th Division “Old Reliables”
and retired in 1952. John Matthew Devine is one of the many forgotten Generals in World War II. The casualties of the 9th Division, total battle casualties: 23.277, killed in action: 3.856, wounded in action: 17.416, missing in action: 357, and prisoner of war: 908. The took 130.000 prisoners .
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Death and burial ground of Devine, John Matthew.
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