World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseJacob Loucks Devers was born in York, Pennsylvania, United States. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1909. When the European War began, he was serving in Panama. In May 1940, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general. Between 15 Nov 1940 and 15 Nov 1941, he commanded the 9th Infantry Division at For Bragg, North Carolina, United States. On 14 Aug 1941, he was promoted to the rank of major general, the youngest of that rank, and was assigned to Fort Knox, Kentucky, United States to command and expand the Armored Force. In Sep 1942, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general. In May 1943, he was transferred to London, England, United Kingdom to command all United States Army forces in Europe; in this role, he was instrumental in preparing US Army troops for the invasion of France. In Jul 1944, he became the commanding officer of the 6th Army Group, which was consisted of 12 American and 11 French divisions. Under Devers' command, the 6th Army Group fought in the Alsace region of France and crossed the Rhine River near Strasbourg, France. On 8 Mar 1945, he was given the rank of general. On 6 May 1945, he accepted the surrender of German forces in western Austria. He retired on 30 Sep 1949. He passed away in Washington DC, United States in 1979. He now rests in peace at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, United States.

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Jacob Devers Timeline