[1] He graduated from Wheeling High School and enrolled at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.

Devore, who was 6 feet, 4 inches tall, and weighed 225 pounds, played at the tackle position for Army's football team while attending West Point.

Devore was commissioned as a lieutenant in the infantry and accompanied Gen. John J. Pershing on the Pancho Villa Expedition into Mexico in 1916.

Devore served as an infantry officer in France during World War I where he was wounded.

Devore spent his career in the Army and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel.