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.

[Old Sarge]

Good morning, Sarmajor!

Be glad you’re working nights, when it’s a little cooler.

We’ve had blistering heat here on the Gulf Coast. Summer is here with a vengeance.

[Old Sarge]

Morning, Tom! Here’s to hoping you folks get some relief up there.

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, Pro ((HUGS))

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

pfft...you have all the fun...hehe

As for us over this away...we'll probably stay home (lock doors and turn off phones???) on the 4th. Saturday we are suppose to go to a cook out where they are suppose to have steamed crabs. I just hope there's shade and a good breeze off the water. Otherwise I'm staying around home to get some R&R. Have a magtastic Monday

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, dear ((HUGS))

There is something wrong when it’s 86 in Maryland when it’s 80 in Texas.

Fingers crossed it means we’ll be seeing lower temps soon.

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, night owl ((HUGS))
That bird is smarter than some of us humans. LOL
Have a Happy Monday

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, EG ((HUGS))

Thanks for the well wishes.

Things were bad but not as bad as wild fires IMO.

I’m thinking that the heat from the CO wildfires along with our heatwave triggered the crazy storms we had. There was a LOT of heat lightning going on.

[SevenofNine]

JJ what part of Alaska are you in Fairbanks Anchorage Dutch Harbor LOL

[SevenofNine]

JJ what part of Alaska are you in Fairbanks Anchorage Dutch Harbor LOL

[blackie]

Thanks Kathy!

{{HUGS}}

[HiJinx]

Dutch Harbor?

That’s just cold, Seven...

[MEG33]

Happy Monday To The Canteen

America..Land of the Free Because of the Brave
*HUGS* *Thank You To All Who Serve Our Country*

[Arrowhead1952]

I actually got off at 2230 instead of 2330 last night. I STILL have to use military time in my new job.

[Arrowhead1952]

Good afternoon MEG and (((HUGS))).

I am having a hard time with FR today. Very slow loading pages.

We actually had a thunderstorm hit here about 20 minutes ago.

[MEG33]

I couldn’t get on FR at all for awhile.
Big time envy over your rain.
:o)

[SevenofNine]

OR JJ want get a job with Northwestern they are salmon fishing right now according to my uncle he has “buddies” over there

Beside Northwestern need another pyro maniac like Edgar Hansen battle Godzilla Godzilla vacating in Alaska right now he sleeping under Bering Sea last time I hear

[Arrowhead1952]

I looked at radar earlier and that was the only cell in our area. It was probably just enough to mess up the windshields.

[Arrowhead1952]

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[Arrowhead1952]

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[Arrowhead1952]

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[Arrowhead1952]

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