FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Sgt. Alvin C. York ~ July 2, 2012

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[Kathy in Alaska]

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

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Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

~ Hall of Heroes ~

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.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Happy 29th Anniversary, Babe!
I love you!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, yarddog....

Walter Brennan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f68TdgErXkE&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL3F4DC9125AAA5BAE

[BIGLOOK]

Aloha again Night Owl!

The only good news today is all the confusion that Thursday created......and as for the weather back east, I was only able to get through to one relative briefly and one friend.

It's a bright sunny day here so counting that as a blessing.

My son and the cute young wahines were off to Kona again this weekend so I was left to be bored exceedingly once again. That'll change by Wednesday or sooner. Probably sooner.

[Kathy in Alaska]

TAPS

RIP

LCpl Hunter D. Hogan, USMC
1st Battalion, 8th Marines,
2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force

Eternal Father Strong To Save - click

[Jet Jaguar]

Happy anniversary!

I just saw you post.

HUGZ

[wjcsux]

Hi Kathy! ((HUGS!)) SGT York was quite the hero and a man of impeccable integrity. He was a very religous man that always was seeking The Lord’s guidance in his life. He was truly a Hero of Heroes!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor, and thanks for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

Hope you had a great and restful weekend. ((HUGS))

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Cyber Son!
*MEGAHUG*
Thanks!
You are in Alaska now, I see?

[Diver Dave]

Thank you for this presentation of Sgt. Alvin C. York.

[luvie]

?

[luvie]

Great picture, (((Sis)))

Happy Anniversary to you two! :)

[MS.BEHAVIN]

*HUG*
Thank you, Sis!
I love dat pic of Mr B.
;0)
He still makes my heart go twitter-patter!
LOL
Tomorrow for dinner..
LOBSTAHS!!
WOO WOO!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Aloha...glad your day was sunny. The sun is trying to come out here.

Sorry you were bored, but glad it will change soon.

[Kathy in Alaska]

TAPS

RIP

LCpl Niall W Coti-Sears, USMC
1st Battalion, 7th Marines,
1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force

Eternal Father Strong To Save - click

[Kathy in Alaska]

Happy 29th Anniversary, Mr & Mrs B!!

Click

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, wjcsux...((HUGS))...glad you enjoyed reading about Sgt York.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Dave...((HUGS))...glad you enjoyed.

Hope you had a great weekend, and are feeling better each day.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, unique, for the guys.

Luv.....#50!!

[TASMANIANRED]

Happy Anniversary to you two.

Hugs

[TASMANIANRED]

Hugs , Kathy

Just got in from work.

We’ve been in the middle of the heat wave the lower 48 are in.

Been a bear trying to keep both gardens watered.

At least we got some relief from the dry here in town but it came at a price. Teriffic thunderstorm with wind and hail tonight.

The drive home was wicked.. Tree’s down all over the place, 2 within spitting distance of home. Blew them out of the ground.

The one on my street has left a crater you could put a car in..Fortunately it fell parallel to the houses so none were damaged but it is laying across 3 yards.

The one out on the main drag fell into an open lot..