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.

[luvie]

I understand. I hope you are able to find plenty of work, however.

[Kathy in Alaska]

He had been one of the young bucks of the region, a typical mountaineer; a dead shot with rifle or pistol; champion of the turkey-shooting matches; breezy, jovial, liberal of oath, free with the demijohn, and not averse to a fight. He was one of eleven children, having seven brothers and three sisters, and when his father (blacksmith and farmer) died in 1911, Alvin, then twenty-four years old, took on the two occupations as head of the family; the older brothers married and went away.

[SandRat]

20 adults getting trained. Every Scout deserves a trained leader.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Those soldiers are proving their commitment to the United States. They have earned their citizenship. Great picture, Sand.

[Kirkwood]

Thanks for digging up that info!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Job well done....important that leaders are trained, indeed.

[Kathy in Alaska]

No apology necessary. Life happens, especially with families. Beautiful flowers.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you, Jade Falcon, for helping keep us free.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Randy....any more furry visits?

[Kathy in Alaska]

I’m sorting too....surely I have a funny one. Valentines, Easter, Halloween....hmmm. Gotta keep looking.

[Old Sarge]

The Little Loomhouse has been reassembled, re-stocked, and open for business. The vandals were never caught, much less prosecuted.

Drill Weekend has come and gone, not much changed, nothing really new.

[Randy Larsen]

Not that I know of...But who know’s what goes on beyond that fence!

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

MEL’s -PASSION- sparked by -WE WERE SOLDIERS-

http://www.Freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1085111/posts

http://www.Freerepublic.com/~aloharonnie/

http://www.Freerepublic.com/~anita1/

.

[Kathy in Alaska]

The Little Loomhouse....I will write it down. Glad it is back in business. Hopefully some day the creeps will be caught...and prosecuted!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, AZ, for the red, white, and blue tribute.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you, Narmy, for your service to America.
Prayers for your safety and success of mission.

[fatima]

Hi Kathy and Everybody,Just getting caught up.I posted most of the prayer request’s on a special forum and I was a little behind:)We got down the shore and had 4 roof tiles missing.We found them laying on the ground and put them back on.All the furniture was there huddled in a corner.Some of the dunes where chopped and some homes had a little siding stripped so all and all it wasn't bad.Last Nor Easter we lost the screen door.It blew up the street,lost the back blinds,they went flying away :)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Luv...a busy day? Mine was swamped with “stuff”.

[luvie]

It wasn’t too bad. Didn’t have to work anyway. I didn’t do much around here either. I am beginning to feel guilty about all the “stuff” I HAVEN’T done! LOL!

Hope you have an easy week and payroll doesn’t give you a huge headache!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks for getting all the prayer requests posted.

I’ve been wondering what you would, and wouldn’t, find at the shore. I can just see your furniture all huddled in the corner, waiting for you to come and rescue it. How great that you found your tiles. Glad the damage was minimal.