TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Devers, Jacob Loucks "Jamie"

Date of birth:
September 8th, 1887 (York/Pennsylvania, United States)
Date of death:
October 15th, 1979 (Washington, D.C., United States)
Buried on:
Arlington National Cemetery
Service number:
0-2599
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

Jacob Devers commanded the 6th Army Group during the Second World War. He reached the rank of U.S. Army General and retired in 1949.

Promotions:
11 June 1909: Second Lieutenant
1 April 1916: First Lieutenant
15 May 1917: Captain (temporary)
5 August 1917: Major (temporary)
30 July 1918: Lieutenant Colonel (temporary)
24 October 1918: Colonel (temporary)
20 August 1919: Captain (permanent)
1 July 1920: Major
26 February 1924: Lieutenant Colonel
1 July 1938: Colonel
1 May 1940: Brigadier General
1 October 1940: Major General (acting)
22 February 1941: Major General
6 September 1942: Lieutenant General
8 March 1945: General

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant General
Unit:
6th Army Group, U.S. Army
Awarded on:
1943

War Department, General Orders No. 77
Distinguished Service Medal - Army (DSM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant General
Unit:
6th Army Group, U.S. Army
Awarded on:
July 1944
Commander of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (KCB/DCB)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant General
Unit:
6th Army Group, U.S. Army
Awarded on:
February 11th, 1945
Grand Officier de l' Ordre National de la Legion d'Honneur
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant General
Unit:
6th Army Group, U.S. Army
Awarded on:
February 11th, 1945

With palm
Croix de Guerre (1939-1945)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant General
Unit:
6th Army Group, U.S. Army
Awarded on:
February 11th, 1945
Fourragere Croix de Guerre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant General
Unit:
6th Army Group, U.S. Army
Awarded on:
1945
For meritorious service in connection with military operations. In the recent operations planned to eliminate enemy resistance on the southern flank of the Allied Expeditionary Force, General Devers led his Army Group with such energy and skill that the enemy was given no opportunity to reform his divisions after the first break-through."
Bronze Star  Medal (BSM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant General
Unit:
6th Army Group, U.S. Army
Awarded on:
February 20th, 1945
Order Wojenny Virtuti Militari - Krzyz Srebrny
In recognition of outstanding services.

Special note from gen. Sasnkowski:
'"We all feel proud that it will be worn by you, a highly distinguished leader of the admirable United States Armies with whom we deem it an honor to fight side by side and one which has been so greatly instrumental in the achievement of the splendid Allies victories of the last few months. "May this decoration be a token of the fraternity of our two nations in the field and in our future victory."
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant General
Unit:
6th Army Group, U.S. Army
Awarded on:
1945
Distinguished Service Medal - Army (DSM)

War Department, General Orders No. 5;
2nd awards: Bronze Oak Cluster
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
General
Unit:
6th Army Group, U.S. Army
Awarded on:
1945

War Department, General Orders No. 67
3rd award: Oak Leaf Cluster
Distinguished Service Medal - Army (DSM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
General
Unit:
6th Army Group, U.S. Army
Awarded on:
1945
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to General Jacob Loucks Devers (ASN: 0-2599), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States from 29 October 1944 to 1 January 1945, as Commanding General, SIXTH U.S. Army Group. During this period General Devers coordinated with the U.S. Navy in the solving of many and diverse problems relative to the build-up following the invasion of the south coast of France. General Devers with foresight and keen planning ability was in a large part responsible for the success of these joint operations. His outstanding tact, sound judgment and alert cooperation in dealing with the many complex problems common to an amphibious operation assured the wholehearted cooperation of the two services. The leadership and professional skill displayed by General Devers are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Armed Services.
Distinguished Service Medal - Navy/USMC
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant General
Unit:
6th Army Group, U.S. Army
Grã-Cruz del Ordem do Mérito Militar
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

With 1 bronze campaign star
American Defence Service Medal
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

With four bronze campaign stars
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
Army of Occupation of Germany Medal
Period:
After War Period (1945-now)

With "Germany" clasp
Army of Occupation Medal

Sources

Photo