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

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC

[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]

Good morning, Taz...((HUGS))...glad you are safely home.

WOW! What a wave of bad weather. Sure glad no homes were hit by the torn up trees.

Have you managed not to lose any of your garden?

[Diver Dave]

Hope you had a great weekend, and are feeling better each day.

Been a great weekend.

This long process of healing from the surgery seems to be working quite well. The discomfort I experienced over the past few months has subsided. Have an appt with my surgeon on the 19th. I made him a set of my stars & stripes windchimes. He's an AF academy grad and AF officer. My thanks will go to him for #1 saving my life and #2 serving our great country.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Awesome!! Both your healing and the windchimes! He will love them.

[E.G.C.]

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.

((HUGS))Good morning, Ladies. Thanks for this morning's thread, Star. How's it going?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, E...((HUGS))...ready to start the new week.

Did you and Bo get to go to the lake?

[Kathy in Alaska]

[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.

Thanks, unique, for the pastries.

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

How about a donut?

Cookies?

Veggies?

Sandwich?

[E.G.C.]

Monday Morning Coffee Bump.

Yep, Bo and I got to the lake yesterday. Had fun out there.

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning to everyone at the Canteen. Working at night sure is different for me.

[ConorMacNessa]

WOOHOO!!!

Contratulations Lady Ms.B and Lord TheRealMr.B!

*BOW*

May you share many more years of wedded bliss!



Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, Canteen.

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.
I remember the story of Sgt. York very well.

DC Metroland weather report

~ Today...Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 90s. North winds 5 to 10 mph.

~ Tonight...Partly cloudy in the evening...
Then clearing. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.
Lows in the lower 70s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph...
Becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of rain 20 percent.

I'm back in the office this morning from a crazy weekend.

Power was finally restored yesterday
about 11 a.m.
Heard this morning that parts of norther Virginia are still out.

It's so hot here that I had to keep cranking the a/c up so it would actually turn off.
Feel sorry for those without a/c.

Poor grand-doggy was stressed through it all
- too hot for her and I'm guessing such strange things going on,
which were not part of our daily routine.

I heard a rumor that the firefighters have gotten the CO wildfires under control.
Got to look into that.

Watched a special called Heroes At Home yesterday.
Sears along with some other organizations
was providing some incredible things to help several military families...
new appliances, bedroom furniture, toys for kids, chores (painting, chopping wood, renovations) for those who needed it.
I'm telling you it was Awesome
One guy was so grateful he was hugging everyone...even the camera operator. LOL

This will be a short week for me.
Taking the 5th & 6th off to have long holiday break.
So, I need to make my rounds
before everyone shows up.
But, you stay right where you are. Cause...............I'll be bock!

The FR Canteen is

Come in and sit for a while.
There's always plenty of coffee, tea,
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.

[ConorMacNessa]

Good morning, Beachy!

*HUGS*

Glad to see your power was restored! Luckily, we did not lose power, although many near us did. I shudder to contemplate no A/C in 90+ degree weather!　



Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning beachy and (((HUGS))). Glad you’ve got power again.

[luvie]

Gooood Mornin' Early Birds!
Welcome to the nightmare called Monday! :)
Hope all you on the East coast get relief from the heat!
We Texans know how you're feeling right now!
Also...early Happy 4th of July!
((((hugs))))

[ConorMacNessa]

Good morning, Luv!

*HUGS*

Luckily, we did not lose power as a result of that dangerous storm Friday night! Lots of people near us did. Traffic lights are out and stores are closed due to storm damage all over the D.C/Balto area.

I hope you have a great week and a great Independence Day!



Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[PROCON]

Hiya Beachie!!

Well, I see you fared fairly well through the storm, but still hot, huh?

We have had temps lower than normal, 68-70 over the weekend; I guess "global warming" is regional :-)

I'm going to the local Republican picnic on July 4th where we can celebrate America and talk right-winger stuff, WOO-HOO!

Have a nice long weekend, see ya soon!

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning LUV and (((HUGS))) to you.

[E.G.C.]

Good morning, Tomkow6.

((HUGS))Good morning, LUV W. Beach.

Thoughts and prayers with everyone affected by Saturday's storms on the East Coast. How's it going?

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, CMN ((HUGS))

Glad to hear that you were one of the lucky ones. It was no fun let me tell you. But we fared better than some - we did have the generator.

Just hope not to have to do it again anytime soon.

[tomkow6]

GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY!

In for another hot & humid day here in Chicagoland!