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

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[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.

[GodBlessUSA]

Thank you for today’s Hero Thread! :)

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning E.G.C. :)
Hugs!

[E.G.C.]

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

[Tanniker Smith]

Good morning, beachy.

[GodBlessUSA]

How are you? Slow going for me this Monday morning ;)

Hope you enjoyed your weekend. :)

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning Tanniker :)

[MEG33]

Good Morning To The Canteen
HUGS

America..Land of the Free Because of the Brave
Thank you for honoring a great hero, Sgt York, Star and Kathy

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning (((Meg)))

Have A Great Day!

[MEG33]

Awww Thank you!(((GeeBee))

[ConorMacNessa]

Greetings to all Canteen Denizens, Our Serving Military, Our Veterans, Their Families, FRiends and Our Allies!

Missing Man Setting

[Tanniker Smith]

Good morning, GB.

[Tanniker Smith]

Good morning, Meg.

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, GB

(((HUGS)))

Take the day off.

Yup, busy weekend and another busy week ahead.

The sun finally came out this morning.

Any plans for Memorial Day?

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, hon

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, CMN

How are ya?

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, Meg

((HUGS))

[GodBlessUSA]

Wish I could take this day off. To many undone chores. It’s suppose to rain Wednesday, so I’ll take that day. ;)

I hope you are not too swamped this week with work. Try to be a slacker on Wednesday too. LOL

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning Conor :)

[ConorMacNessa]

Good morning, beachie - doing great, thanks! How about you?

[ConorMacNessa]

Good morning, GeeBee - how are you doing this morning?