The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-12-30
ATTORNEY DEvINE, WOUNDED
 HERO OF WORLD WAR
 NEXT ASSISTANT ATTORNEY
Prominent Young Attorney And Leading Mem Der Of World War Veterans Organizations Has Been Honored By Mayor Atwater

Attorney Joseph J. Devine was ap- pointed today assistant to City Attor- ney John A. Cornell. He was the strongest and most acceptable of sev- eraI candidates and received the ap- pointment from Mayor Fred Atwater. He VIII notify the mayor of his ac- ceptance before tomorrow and will take office Sunday, January 1, as successor to William Parker Seeley. He will receive the salary of $2,5oO.
 Attorney DeVine is one of the most intelligent young men in Bridgeport, one of the most brilliant of the younger members of the legal pro- record that can be pointed to with deep pribe, both by himself and by the city. Although a resident of Bridgeport but for a comparatively the community where he commands the respect and admiration of his col leagues and fellow citizens.
 Waterbury has the honor of being the birthplace of Joseph James De- vine and he made his debut into the world in that town in 1891. He was still in his boyhood when his parents changed their residence to New Ha- ven, and it was there he secured his elementary education. Later he en- tered Yale University, completing his academic course with the class of 1914, matriculating in the Yale Law School where he secured his LL.B. degree two years later.
 a It was immediately after his grad nation and admission to the bar that he came to Bridgeport, in the fall of 1918. He hung his "shingle" on Main street. and laid the foundation for one of the most promising law careers In the city.
 He had been practising in the local courts less than a year when he laid aside his books and legal cases, clos ed his offices and enrolled in the CS- Plattsburg. His education in mili- tary tactics was completed in record time. and a few months later he re- ceived his commission as provisional second lieutenant in the United States regular army.
 Embarking for overseas service soon after the arrival of the new year. Lieutenant Devine landed in France he next three months at the Artillery School at Samur. On May 2. he re- ceived his assignment to Battery c. 17th Field Artillery of the the famous Second Division of regulars.
 Orders to go up to the front were received shortly after he took com mand of the battery. and he moved his men into the war torn demolish- ed Verdun sector. His baptism of fire was a terrific and continuous boJnbardment that lasted from the early days of May until Battery c was transferred to the Belleau Wood front on June 1. After Be11eau Wood his command moved over to the scene of the immortal Chateau Thierrv enga cement and took part In the launching of the gigantic and vic tor:ous offensive against the linden burg forces the offensive that ultf- nnately proved the turning point Of
 June 25. in the height of the Cha teau Thterry offensive, was mem orable day in the life of Lieutenant Devine. For days. his pacticular hnoVV hnT11- hardment but his men drove fires st ibly onward and reDeated1v repulSed the counter-offensives of the enemy. Throughout the engaeement: Leuteu- ant Devine was continually at the read of his men. encouraging and comma ndfng and directing the fire with a discharge of enemy shrapnel n his arm and shoulder.
 For his heroism on that day. he was decorated with the Croix de der-in-chief of the French Army of the East, in the official name of the French government.
 After a long confinement in French and American overseas hospitals he returned to the United States and in September, 1919, was honorably dis charged after 25 months meritorious service.
 Although the recovered from his wounds and the hardships of front line service, Lieutenant Dev1ne bears 70 this day mute evidence of his sac riffce with his crippled right arm that is practically useless and the fingers of which are permanently deformed-
 Since his return to civilian life, he has been prominent in state and local military circles and has held many important offices. At present, he Is judge advocate of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Connecticut, and an executive committeeman of the Con necticut Department of the American Legion. of which he is a cery active member.
 and is Deputy Grand Knight of the Part c'+v Coi.s,rsI ~f +s,A K~'si-@s ->e