It’s been some time since I penned my first note about one of the great military officers in US history, Jacob Devers. During the current “war-like” conditions, now feels like a good time to revisit this great man’s accomplishments and pine for a comparable leader (or two) to step forward.
Who is Jake Devers you ask? Precisely. It a civics crime that Devers is not recognized among the pantheon of US military leaders. In fact, ranked on meritocracy, I’d place Devers as the fourth best US military officer, trailing only George Washington, US Grant and William Sherman.
Born in downtown York, Pennsylvania in 1887, Devers’ life story of remarkable successes reads like fiction:
West Point graduate and later executive officer who led a material expansion of the military academy.
Developed several new field artillery tactics and configured the armored weapon battalions that prevailed in the European theatre of WWII.
Spearheaded the design / development of the M4 Sherman tank, the main WWII army tank and the first one that could match the German Panther in battle.
Superintended the military fortifications of the Panama Canal and the construction of Ft. Bragg army base during WWII.
Served as the first US commander of European theatre and championed much of the logistical preparation for the Normandy D-Day invasion.
Superintended the mobilization of Allied air power that fended off the Germans in the intense aviation war over Great Britain during 1943.
Led the second amphibious Allied army invasion of France in August 1944 - Dragoon - that smashed a large German army and liberated all but northern France.
For his pre-WW II accomplishments, Devers became the most trusted officer serving George Marshall, the great Army Chief of Staff. He earned his general rank in 1940 before Eisenhower, Omar Bradley and George Patton, WWII’s “hero generals”.
Devers practiced a “get-r-done” leadership style. He tackled problems head-on with enthusiasm, integrity and a positive attitude. He was a doer, not a talker or politician.
Devers was adept at evaluating talent and delegated well. He was a natural mentor, freely providing hands-on guidance to his subordinates in the field, not behind a desk. Devers was a people person and team player, quick to recognize the good work of subordinates, not grabbing the limelight. He was demanding, but fair.
Devers had a well-documented, nearly toxic relationship with Eisenhower. The blame for their strained relationship, however, falls squarely on Ike, not Devers. Their relationship went from tense to awkward when Devers flipped from serving as Eisenhower’s boss to his direct subordinate during the war.
Much to Devers’ surprise and chagrin, FDR made the political decision to select Eisenhower as the Allied commander and to lead Operation Overlord, leap-frogging over Devers in late 1943. Winston Churchill liked Ike more than Devers, which materially influenced FDR’s decision. Up to that time, Devers had been justifiably critical of Eisenhower’s lackluster military performance in North Africa and Italy, plus they had clashed over several military matters.
So, Ike carried a serious grudge against Devers at the outset of his new leadership role and he exercised it often.
Many WWII historians have questioned Ike’s master field battle plan post-Normandy. Others, including several generals on the field at the time - also believe Eisenhower made a serious tactical mistake regarding his handling of Devers’ Germany invasion plan that could have prevented the Battle of the Bulge, one of the deadliest battles in US military history.
Here’s what happened. After landing in southern France in August 1944, Devers commanded a US and French army division and routed the Germans at every encounter. The army quickly liberated most of France, created key new supply lines for the entire US army and was the first commander to reach the west bank of the Rhine river - the German-French border - in mid-November 1944.
Devers discovered no Germans defending the east riverbank and immediately began preparations to cross the river and flank attack the Germans - in Germany. The objective was to divert pressure from Patton and Bradley’s armies. Eisenhower got wind of Devers’ plan, halted it and rebuffed Devers’ fervent requests to reconsider.
Ike’s decision to veto Devers’ invasion plan was due to a few factors: His cautious style, his personal grudge against Devers and his desire to see fair-haired subordinates Patton and Bradley earn the victory accolades. Ike was an adept planner and politician, not a great military leader.
Weeks later, the Germans launched a massive surprise attack against Bradley’s army in the Ardennes Forest that nearly became a devastating German victory.
The outcome of Devers’ flank attack idea will always be an unknown, but it was a well-reasoned strategy by an aggressive, experienced leader executed by the Army’s two-best performing generals, Jake Devers and his top field general, Sandy Patch.
Tell me that Grant would not have sent Bill Sherman over the Rhine in November 1944?
Similar to his demotion in 1943, a miffed Devers handled the situation with class and did his part to help the Allied forces to victory months later. He continued to serve in leadership roles after the war, then retired in 1949 as the seventeenth four-star general in US history. Devers is referred to as the “Forgotten Four-Star General”, which, sadly, is accurate.
As we celebrate the seventh anniversary of Harvest Rock Advisors this week, I’ve been reflecting about how long and short the past seven years have passed. Like everyone, we’re dealing with a myriad of tough challenges right now.
In some respects, in feels like the tense first few months all over again having to adapt my small business to handle a pandemic, an economic depression, make payroll and effectively manage the financial futures of our clients during hyper-uncertain times.
The pandemic has become a real leadership test for all small business owners. I find inspiration from the life story of Jake Devers, the local military hero who excelled at leading others to accomplish extremely difficult goals under much more difficult conditions than a Pandession.
Until next time, be safe and well…..Tim