DeVoe, Merritt W.

The Rainbow Division was one of the first American divisions to reach the battlefields of the Western front in November 1917.  Rainbow Division saw action fighting alongside the French in February 1918.  The division played a notable role in six major campaigns, including the Battle of Champagne in July 1918, in addition to fighting at Chateau-Thierry, St. Mihiel, Verdun and the Argonne.  The Rainbow Division was assigned German occupation duties.

Merritt participated in the following battles and engagements. AEF France (American European Forces), AISME – Maine Offences, St. Michael Argronne Fixist and Champagne Marne Defensive Battle.

While serving in the Telegraph Battalion he heard General John J. Pershing’s voice over the airwaves to Washington, DC stating that Germany had surrendered and World War I was over.  He was ecstatic but could not share the news because he had to wait until Washington made it official.  If he made it public he would have betrayed his trust as a Telegrapher in the United States Army.  He received the character award for honesty, faithfulness and trustworthiness.

Merritt married Margaret Hatlee on October 30, 1923 and had two children Norma Morris and Lawrence DeVoe.  Merritt used the bonus money he received as a World War I veteran to buy land and purchase and plant apple trees in 1931.  He and his wife Margaret became the proud owners of DeVoe’s Rainbow Orchards. Rainbow Orchards was named after the Rainbow Division in which he served in World War I. DeVoe’s Rainbow Orchards remains a DeVoe family business owned and operated by Merritt’s son Lawrence and his family.

He was a charter member of the American Legion 1450 and the Shenendehowa United Methodist Church.  He was a loyal and honest man who loved his country, his family, his church and his town.