Gerard "Jerry" M. Devlin

Jerry Devlin, 83, died in hospital today of causes related to grievous abdominal combat shrapnel wounds.

Jerry was born the son Ann and Patrick Devlin of Waltham, Mass., where he attended local schools. When war broke out in Korea in 1950, Jerry joined up at seventeen. His father had served in the Spanish-American War, and World War I. Private Devlin completed paratrooper training, awarded his Jump Wings. He volunteered for Korea where he served with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, a paratrooper regiment that was nicknamed the Rakkasans (a Japanese word for parachutist). After his combat tour in Korea, for which he was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Jerry returned to Waltham and married his high school sweetheart, Leona Cormier. Now Sergeant Devlin and his new bride honeymooned Army-style, enroute to their new post, Fort Campbell, KY, where Jerry began service in the 11th Airborne Division. When the Division was eventually deployed to Germany, Sgt Devlin was able to bring his dependents, Leona and son, who crossed the Atlantic on a troop ship, and crossed Germany on a crowded, unheated troop train. Even so, they soaked up European culture, driving to visit places on the Continent they had only dreamed about.

He also took advantage of Army advanced education courses. Returning stateside with his unit, Jerry was accepted for (OCS) Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a Lieutenant, and promotions would follow in quick succession. Before returning to a second tour of Germany, he went to Ranger school at Ft. Benning where he was awarded the coveted Ranger tab. Captain Devlin commanded a company of the 7th Infantry, (the famous Cotton Balers from the War of 1812), part of the 3rd Infantry Division, which was deployed in Germany. Devlin's company was ordered to take the lead and force passage into Berlin when the Russians had tried to seal it off from Allied access in 1961. Jerry faced down Russian and East German military and successfully entered Berlin with only minor incident.

Back stateside again, Jerry used the time afforded by his various training commands to avail himself of all the Army education programs his schedule would permit. In time he earned his GED, a Bachelor's degree, and a Master's degree. He was an avid reader of military history, and took every opportunity to hone his skills in writing in a clear, articulate and succinct style. He went to language school to study Vietnamese.

During the Vietnam War, Jerry served two tours. One as chief advisor to the famed 44th 'Black Tiger' Vietnamese Ranger Battalion, whom he accompanied to the field on their combat patrols, guiding their tactics and supporting with air and artillery assets. During this tour Jerry received the terrible wounds, from which he was not expected to recover. Leona flew to the Philippines to be at his bedside. After a year's hospitalization and another lengthy recovery period, Jerry Devlin resumed active duty. He returned to Vietnam for a second tour in 1967, serving with the famed 25th Infantry Division. Jerry was a graduate of the Army's Command and General Staff College. In addition to the Combat Infantryman's Badge, he also received the Parachutist Badge, the Distinguished Service Cross, a Silver Star, and a Purple Heart. He was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 1995.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am, Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church with burial at 1:00 pm in Beaufort National Cemetery.