Joseph McDevitt

McDEVITT, Joseph Rear Admiral Joseph Bryan McDevitt, USN (Ret.) of James Island, SC, passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2006. He was born in McGehee, Arkansas, the son of John and Mary Zimmer McDevitt. Upon completion of law school, Admiral McDevitt entered the US Navy where he served for thirty years and retired as the Judge Advocate General of the United States Navy. He served in Pacific Theater for four years and was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds incurred in Saipan. Among many other posts, he served as Judge Advocate Eighth Naval District Headquarters, Judge Advocate Amphibious Force Atlantic Fleet, Judge Advocate Military Justice Division, Judge Advocate Commander - In - Chief Pacific, Director of the International Law Division, Legal Advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and his last assignment as Judge Advocate General. He was a holder of two National Defense Service Medals, the Philippine Liberation Medal, two Bronze Stars, the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Service Medal. Admiral McDevitt was a member of the Federal Bar, the Illinois Bar, the American Bar Association, the Inter - American Bar, the American Society of International Law and the Judge Advocate Association. Following his naval career, Admiral McDevitt served as Executive Director of People to People International. In 1973 he joined the staff of Clemson University and held the positions of Executive Vice President, University Counsel and Secretary of the Board of Trustees. He is survived by his wife, Ernestine " Mitzi " M. McDevitt; nine sons, Dr. Jeffrey B. McDevitt and his wife Marge of Kailua, HI, Dr. Paul K. McDevitt and his wife Barbara of Springfield, IL, Rodney P. McDevitt of Wake Forest, NC, John S. McDevitt of Herndon, VA, David A. McDevitt of Bluffton, SC, Joseph B. McDevitt, Jr. and his wife Janie of Alpharetta, GA, Richard V. McDevitt and his wife Cathy of Hilton Head, SC, Edward F. McDevitt of Izmar, Turkey, Gerald C. McDevitt and his wife Tina of Mt. Pleasant, SC; two daughters, Rita M. Buffington and her husband George of Bozeman, MT, Gena M. Cameron and her husband Richard of Ninety-Six, SC; a step-daughter Lisa E. Minshew and her husband Joe Boykin of John's Island, SC; thirteen grandchildren; Malia Bero, Larry McDevitt, Kim Ehlert, Bryan McDevitt, Jason McDevitt, Alexis McDevitt, Miranda McDevitt, Joe McDevitt, Mark McDevitt, Dameiane Cameron, Kelly Cameron, Kristi Cameron, English Maull and Lidsey Thomas. He was preceded in death by his brother, Edward F. McDevitt. The family will be receiving friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM, Wednesday, March 1, 2006 at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy. The relatives and friends of Rear Admiral, Joseph Bryan McDevitt are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial, 10:00 AM, Thursday, March 2, 2006 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. The Rite of Committal will be held in Christ - St. Paul's Episcopal Churchyard, Meggett. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Charleston, 3870 Leeds Ave., Suite 101 North Charleston, SC 29405. Arrangements are by the JAMES A. MCALISTER FUNERAL HOME, 1620 SAVANNAH HWY. 766 - 1365. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.