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!

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.

[mylife]

I would avoid surgery if you can.
I am glad you got some relief.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Thankee Sir Conor!
*curtsy*
I hope to be with my Lord husband for many more years to come!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, Arrowhead...((HUGS))...never came up for air on Monday. The Wednesday holiday means 2 days in one.

Hope your work night went really well.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

*sip*
Ahhhhhh..
Thank you, Ma!
BTW, Moxie FINALLY passed inspection today!
Woo hoo!

[MS.BEHAVIN]

*HUG*
Thank you, that means so very much to me!

[MS.BEHAVIN]

BTW..
Lobstahs are $4.45 a lb right now!
~ducking~

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hurrah for Moxie...a red letter day for both of you. ((HUGS))

[Kathy in Alaska]

Sounds like fun...have a terrific 4th of July picnic, Pro. ((HUGS))

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, beachy...((HUGS))...never got to breathe all Monday. Pretty cool that you get to be off most of the week.

[luvie]

Brat Sis!! LOL!

[MS.BEHAVIN]

*evil grin*
;o)

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Okay Gang..
Off to me bedchamber!
Thank you so much for all the love support and prayers!
You guys rock my world!
*GROUP HUG*

[mylife]

Sleep well.

[mylife]

Had 4 fat shrimp Tacos this past weekend for like $6.88

Not as good as Lobstah, but dang delicious.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

I was getting a box ready to mail to a friend..
put some bubble wrap in the box to wrap fragile stuff in .

Couldn’t figure out where Minette was...
Guess where?
LOL
She was fine in dere until she stretched and extended her claws in the bubble wrap..
*POP!*
She came out of that box like she’d been shot out of a cannon!

[Old Sarge]

{{{{{ MISS BEEEEE!!! }}}}}

I'll join you in that brandy, missie!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Now THAT is too funny....go Minette, just watch the claws. LOL!!

Kitty’s love boxes.

[Jet Jaguar]

Fairbanks again!

[Jet Jaguar]

I am. Lookin forward to moose and northern lights when winter comes.

HUGZ

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good night and rest well, ms b...*HUGS*
Thanks for all you do for our troops.