Freeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Sgt Alvin P York ~ 19 May 08

Linked In Thread | StarCMC and Beetle Bailey

[Kathy in Alaska]

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

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.

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Pusterfuss]

Good morning Kathy. (40)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning/afternoon/evening/night Troops, wherever you are.

Thank you for doing your part to help keep all of us free and safe.

How about a donut?

Coffee is always on........

Or a sandwich?

[savedbygrace]

That coffee looks weak. No wonder there are so many pots.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, Pusterfuss...((HUGS))...45 and no rain, even tho the sky is trying. Hope you got to kick back yesterday. Any trips planned?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning fellow cubevillians!

[Pusterfuss]

Any trips planned?

None so far. Looks like a lot of yard work and clean the basement.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Spring is here!! Let the yardwork begin! I am off for some sleep....the work week begins again.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Never leave a non coffee drinker in charge of the coffee. d:o)

Better? I doubled the coffee per pot.

[Kathy in Alaska]

God bless and keep safe our troops worldwide.

Good night.

Statler Brothers ~ How Great Thou Art

[savedbygrace]

Now THAT’S coffee!

BTW, I use a French Press and some coffee from Africa with a mostly unpronounceable name. I don’t go mad with grinding my own beans and such, but the place I buy from grinds a pound at a time from their beans. Very low acidity, not bitter.

But for a large group situation, Bunn is good.

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Morning, Kathy. How's it going?

A very pleasant good morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Morning, Star. Thanks for the thread this morning.

[mylife]

Todays Toons 5/19/08

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, Everyone. Good morning to our

Military, our Allies, and their families. THANK YOU for all you do.

Thank you, Star, for preparing the Canteen for today’s activities.

DC Metroland weather report

~ Today.....A mix of clouds and sun with gusty winds. High 69F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph.

~ Tonight.....Cloudy with occasional showers overnight. Low around 50F. WNW winds shifting to S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.

Yes, it's Monday again and I didn't want to get out of bed so early this morning. But, here I am once again. I've got a short week this week cause I'll be starting my so-called vacation on Friday. I say that because even though I'll be on vacation I'll be sticking around home doing "things that don't get done any other time" things. Still, got lots to do here before then, so I'll be in and out of the Canteen this morning.

Time for me to make my rounds. But, you stay right where you are. Don't touch that dial. Don't change that channel. Put down that remote. Don't leave the room. Keep your eyes on your monitor. Cause...............I'll be bock!

Now remember, the Canteen is

So, come on in and sit for a while. There's always plenty of coffee, pancakes, conversation, silliness, and plain old BS

REMEMBER THEM

DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allied military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before.

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good morning, Beach. How’s it going?

[beachn4fun]

Good morning and (((HUGS))) EG. I’m just getting ready to process some reports. Time cards are due this week and I have to get the charge numbers ready.

Whatz up out your way?

[E.G.C.]

Well, it's kind of busy. I'm washing the bedsheets.

Also, we're going to take the ford pickup truck to the dealership for routine maintenace. It's got 10000 miles on it.

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning Beachn :)
I hope you had a nice weekend. Mine was sooooooo busy and tiring. Now I want to sleep but that's not gonna happen. ;)