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

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[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ 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.

[Arrowhead1952]

**

[Arrowhead1952]

**

[MEG33]

*Wishing You A Very Happy Anniversary*
*Mr. and Mrs. B*

[SevenofNine]

TOMKOW You didn’t tell me certain Lizard going be in Chicago this summer

http://www.g-fan.com/html/gfest_xix/gfest_xix.php

[yorkie]

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, YOU TWO!

[W. W. SMITH]

I have driven the section of hwy 127 from Crossville to Kentucky. The hwy passes with in one mile of his grave site and the farm given him by the state of Tennessee. York also served as a county sheriff, I don’t remember the dates. Seeing the movie it is just a movie. Seeing the movie after standing at SGT York’s grave gave it an entirely different perspective. To most history is just a story. After that visit history is real and right in my face.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

*HUG*
Thank you!
One of my very favorite pics!
You know me very well!
LOL

[Publius]

Hey dere, Ms. B.

(GENTLE HUG)

Was today the day of the magic procedure?

[MEG33]

;o)
(((HUGS)))

[MS.BEHAVIN]

*HUG*
Thank you, lovely Lady!
Now, THAT’S my idea of a perfect anniversary dinner!

[yorkie]

I hope you two had a WONDERFUL "Lobstah" din-din, tonight!

Now - go enjoy the rest of your Anniversary evening! Smooches to ya - it's almost over!

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Yes, I had the spinal injection today, no anesthesia.

As I told a friend in Freepmail,
It was uncomfortable/painful, for just a short time.
It was nowhere as bad as I thought it was going to be.
I even drove my 5-speed home afterwards!

I did not walk out of there completely pain free, as I have a condition called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, that creates all kinds of pain problems of it’s own.

I am happy that tonight, the awful outer thigh pain I was having is gone, and the backache at the injection site will be better tomorrow too, I think!

Onward and upward!
Hmmm...
A brandy would be good right now

[Publius]

Glad to hear you’re feeling better. Just the thought of spinal injections gives me the heebie-jeebies.

[mylife]

They say those shots work great for like 6 mo’s, then you gotta go in again.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Yes, I know.
But I will take 6 months of feeling better in a heart beat.
If it has to be done again in 6 months, I will do so.
It is much less invasive than back surgery for now.
If repeated shots have to be made, then that is a sign that more needs to be done.
For now, I will try this and see how far it gets me!
;0)

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Thank you, Ma!
*HUG*

[yorkie]

Our prayers for you will not go unanswered - you will feel much better tomorrow - and for a long time to come. (((HUGS)))

It’s been a long, and eventful day. But - also a happy one - with an Anniversary filled with love!

[Kathy in Alaska]

[luvie]

Awesome news, Sis! ((((hugs))))

Prayers that it continues to help you be relieved of such
horrible pain!

Get that brandy! You earned it! :)

[MS.BEHAVIN]

“Just the thought of spinal injections gives me the heebie-jeebies.”

Oh Hey, it does me too!
I may be just a petite woman,but I am braver than I though I was!
I think it will have been worth it in the long run!