FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: SGT Alvin C. York ~ 16 July 2007

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Sgt. Alvin C. York

BIOGRAPHY

Alvin Cullum York (1887-1964) ended the First World War as one of America's most famous soldiers, with fame and popular recognition assured following a remarkable act of courage and coolness in October 1918.

Having grown up in poverty the young York honed his skills as a crack marksman, a useful talent for use in hunting food for himself and his family - and one put to high effect during the war.

Despite his remarkable reputation for bravery and the win-at-all-costs attitude displayed during his wartime service York was and remained a pacifist. Following a religious conversion in 1911 - he became lay deacon of a local pacifist sect - he declared himself a convinced pacifist.

Consequently with the U.S. entry into World War One York initially returned his draft papers before they were summarily resent to him by the draft board, at which stage he was drafted into 328th Regiment, 82nd Infantry. During training however he was convinced by his battalion commander, Gonzalo Edward Buxton - a fellow Bible student - that the Bible sanctioned active service.

Once in France the semi-literate York earned lifetime fame for his part in an attack in the Argonne Forest against German machine gun positions on 8 October 1918. York, an acting Corporal, led 17 men in action against a German stronghold, the aim being to secure the position and return with German prisoners.

Initially successful without coming under fire, the small expedition took a number of prisoners before the Germans launched a heavy counterattack. With 11 of York's men guarding the captured prisoners (and with the other six killed) York resolved to proceed alone and tackle the German gunners ranged against them.

Having shot some 17 gunners via sniping, York was charged by seven German soldiers who realised that he was operating on his own. He killed them all with his pistol. With the aid of a German Major captured earlier York brought in a total of 132 German prisoners, a remarkable feat.

He was well rewarded however, receiving lavish press coverage at home and the Congressional Medal of Honor, in addition to the French Croix de Guerre (and a fulsome citation from Supreme Allied Commander Ferdinand Foch).

Returning home to a New York City parade, York was awarded a gift of a farm by his home state, Tennessee. A film of his life was made in 1940, Sergeant York, starring Gary Cooper; York used the fee he was paid for the film to fund a Bible college.

He died in 1964.

Link

QUOTES

"Sir, I am doing wrong. Practicing to kill people is against my religion.": York, speaking of target practice at human silhouettes.
"What you did was the greatest thing accomplished by any private soldier of all the armies of Europe.": Marshall Ferdinand Foch, on York's feat in the Argonne.
"This uniform ain't for sale.": York, on demands for his endorsement.
"It's over; let's just forget about it.": York's modesty about the the event that brought him the Medal of Honor.

Link

Medal of Honor Citation

Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company G, 328th Infantry, 82d Division.
Place and date: Near Chatel-Chehery, France, 8 October 1918.
Entered service at: Pall Mall, Tenn.
Born: 13 December 1887, Fentress County, Tenn.
G.O. No.: 59, W.D., 1919.

Citation:

After his platoon had suffered heavy casualties and 3 other noncommissioned officers had become casualties, Cpl. York assumed command. Fearlessly leading 7 men, he charged with great daring a machinegun nest which was pouring deadly and incessant fire upon his platoon. In this heroic feat the machinegun nest was taken, together with 4 officers and 128 men and several guns.

Please remember, the Canteen is family friendly and we exist to support and honor our troops and their families, as well as our Allies Troops and theirs. Thank you to every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine and Coast Guardsman out there for doing what you do to keep us safe. We are ever in your debt. And thank you, too, to the families and friends who support them. God bless our troops.

1 posted on 07/15/2007 3:39:11 PM PDT by StarCMC

To: Kathy in Alaska

Could you ping, please? *HUG*

2 posted on 07/15/2007 3:39:37 PM PDT by StarCMC (This country is not free by the pen but by the back,brains and bullets of a soldier. ~advertsng guy)

3 posted on 07/15/2007 3:41:20 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)

To: StarCMC; Bethbg79; EsmeraldaA; MoJo2001; Kathy in Alaska; Brad's Gramma; laurenmarlowe; ...

4 posted on 07/15/2007 3:42:17 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)

To: StarCMC; txradioguy; Jet Jaguar; tongue-tied; laurenmarlowe; AZamericonnie; MS.BEHAVIN; fatima; ...

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5 posted on 07/15/2007 3:44:24 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)

We are exceedingly proud of our Sgt Alvin C York...

6 posted on 07/15/2007 3:49:13 PM PDT by Tennessee Nana

Sgt Alvin C York — one of my all-time HEROES!

Great thread!

7 posted on 07/15/2007 3:49:27 PM PDT by DieHard the Hunter

To: StarCMC; MoJo2001; txradioguy; Jet Jaguar; tongue-tied; laurenmarlowe; AZamericonnie; MS.BEHAVIN; ..

Family celebration this evening of Star’s son’s birthday. She may or may not make it back tonight.

Birthday wishes to FluffyGiggleLips.

8 posted on 07/15/2007 3:53:53 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FluffyGiggleLips!

9 posted on 07/15/2007 3:56:15 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)

Thanks for the great thread, Star.

Sgt. Alvin York, a true hero.

10 posted on 07/15/2007 3:56:50 PM PDT by jazusamo (DefendOurMarines.com)

To: DieHard the Hunter

I never pass up a chance to watch the movie made about his life. Fortunately it runs at least 3 or 4 times a year on the cable.

11 posted on 07/15/2007 3:57:01 PM PDT by capt. norm (Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for.)

> I never pass up a chance to watch the movie made about his life. Fortunately it runs at least 3 or 4 times a year on the cable.

Great movie, ay. I have it on videotape. Gary Cooper was great! Not much resemblance to Sgt York, tho...

12 posted on 07/15/2007 3:59:26 PM PDT by DieHard the Hunter

13 posted on 07/15/2007 4:00:34 PM PDT by Soaring Feather (I Soar 'cause I can....)

Happy Birthday, FluffyGiggleLips!!

Click

14 posted on 07/15/2007 4:01:07 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)

To: Tennessee Nana

Yes Nan, we are proud of this Tennessean, his home is not too far from where I live.

This country has produced so many brave young men and women, and we owe them all a great debt for their service.

15 posted on 07/15/2007 4:07:29 PM PDT by girlangler (Fish Fear Me)

16 posted on 07/15/2007 4:10:36 PM PDT by BIGLOOK (Keelhauling is a sensible solution to mutiny.)

To: U S Army EOD

17 posted on 07/15/2007 4:12:27 PM PDT by BIGLOOK (Keelhauling is a sensible solution to mutiny.)

Thanks, Meteor, for helping Star with today's Hall of Heroes: SGT Alvin C York.

18 posted on 07/15/2007 4:17:39 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)

Always like to hear good things about Cousin Alvin.

19 posted on 07/15/2007 4:19:19 PM PDT by U S Army EOD

20 posted on 07/15/2007 4:19:41 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)

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