Devine, John Matthew.

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,

in June 1913. West Point was first built as a fort (1778/1779) because of its strategic location on the Hudson River. In 1802, President Thomas Jefferson turned it into a military academy, with the intention that the people who would study at the academy would be representatives of a true democracy. Colonel Sylvanus Thayer,

  better known as the father of the academy, served as its headmaster from 1817 to 1833. He introduced military discipline to the academy and ensured that the academy focused on training engineers; many railroad, bridge, and harbor builders graduated from West Point.

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.

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

Assigned as assistant Chief of Staff in the 1^st 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 6^th Armored Division to 23-09-1943. From 24-09-1943 he was assigned as commanding officer with the 90^th 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 90^th 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 90^th Division consisted of 19.200 people, which is one of the biggest divisions in World War II. The 90^th Infantry was one of the toughest divisions, they had several nicknames such as the “Alamo Division” or the “Tough Hombres”. The 90^th 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 90^th 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 7^th Armored Division, nickname “Lucky Seventh”  . Casualties during their 172 days of combat 5.799. From 02-10-1944 Commanding General with the 8^th Armored Division, nickname “Golden Arrow Division”   with assistant commander, Major General, Donald Armpriester Stroh who died age 61, on 20-12-1953. The 8^th 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 8^th Armored Division, nicknamed “Iron Snake” . The 8^th Armored Division with total authorized strength: 10.937, total battle casualties: 2.011 and total deaths in battle: 469. With the 8^th 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 2^nd Armored Division, nickname “Hells on Wheels”, During World War II, the 2^nd 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 2^nd 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 1^st Cavalry Division “First Team”   to 02-10-1948 and Commanding General with the 9^th 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  9^th 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 .

John Devine died age 75, 08-03-1971 in Leesburg, Virginia, US, and is buried on the United States Military Academy Post Cemetery, West Point New York, Section VI.