Saratoga County honors veteran during ceremonies
BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. » A Troy native and long-time Halfmoon resident who served in Europe with the army during the postWorld War II occupation era was remembered during Honoring Our Deceased Veterans ceremonies at Saratoga County offices in Ballston Spa on Tuesday.
Arthur DeVoe was part of the first graduating class at Shenendehowa High School, where he designed the school’s emblem, and also attended the University of Maryland.
He joined the army on Nov. 16, 1954 and was discharged almost five years later on July 28, 1959 at the rank of SP4.
For his service, DeVoe Art received the Good Conduct Medal, Army of Occupation of Germany Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.
“Art would train as an army cook, and for those who are not familiar with a military chow hall, you must know that it’s a tough job,” said Frank McClement, county Veterans Service Agency director. “Everyone in the military has long hours, cooks start early and end late. As cooks in the U.S. Army, the days are long, hot, exhausting, and often thankless due to a menu and a set of recipes over which they have very little control. It’s also one of the most important support roles one can take on. A well fed army has the most chance of success.”
The Korean War had just ended and the Cold War was very much under way in Europe when DeVoe arrived there in the mid-1950s.
“The army still maintained a significant presence in Germany,” McClement said. “Art was assigned to 3rd Gunnery Battalion, 39th Artillery. The unit was outfitted with the M65 280-mm atomic cannon, often called ‘Atomic Annie,’ a towed artillery piece designed and capable of firing a nuclear device across the Iron Curtain. Its destructive power was approximately equivalent to the atom bomb dropped on Hiroshima.”
Following his service to country, DeVoe returned home and worked for White Motor Corp, Mack Truck Companies and McCasland Trucking, from which he retired.
However, he was also extremely active and continued serving his community in a variety of ways, with veterans-related groups and organizations in particular.
He belonged to Clifton ParkHalfmoon VFW post 1498, and was a commander, council commander, district commander and quartermaster. DeVoe was a charter member of the Gerald B.H Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard Association, and was a commander and squadron leader.
He was also very active in Boy Scouts as a scoutmaster, assistant scoutmaster and a member of the Saratoga County Boy Scouts of America Executive Committee for more than 30 years.
Officials presented DeVoe’s daughter, Cindy Murdza, and grandson, Michael Murdza, with several proclamations and awards including the New York State Senate Liberty Medal, the state’s highest honor; a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.; and citation signed by President Donald Trump.
The flag was raised outside county offices accompanied by an honor guard’s rifle salute, and will stay there until next month’s Deceased Veterans program ceremony when it will be returned to family members.