FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Alvin York ~ 16 September 2019

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[Kathy in Alaska]

 

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

SGT Alvin C. York

(Info found here.)

           

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 here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

[Kathy in Alaska]

[MoochPooch]

Evening, Kathy. How well I remember Gary Cooper’s portrayal.

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good Monday morning and ((HUGS)) to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

How's everyone doing this morning?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome to the Canteen, TMN78247, and thanks for adding more information.

We thank you for your service to our country.

[Kathy in Alaska]

We had some rain off and on all day, but I haven’t checked the rain gauge to see if it was measurable.

I DVRed the Hurricane Man and will watch it later. Those guys are crazy.

Praying you get some rain next week sometime.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, Janey…((HUGS))...safe flights.

[Kathy in Alaska]

He did what he had to do....a true hero.

[Kathy in Alaska]

UGH! So much to drink and it takes forever.

Best of luck!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, my...plenty of rest.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, Mooch...a hero worthy of a good movie.

Did you make it safely through summer? Fall make an appearance?

We are finally getting some much needed rain.

[radu]

Howdy, E.G.C. ((HUGZ))

Did Gizmo behave a little better yesterday or did he try to take off on another chase?

[luvie]

It sure is. I can hardly wait to hear about your next treasure find. :)

[radu]

The streets look pretty wet so maybe you’ll have a decent amount of rain in your gauge. It’s been dry a lot longer there than it has here and you need all you can get.

We’ll get rain eventually. It really is a plus for the area farmers that it’s dry because they can’t harvest their crops when they’re wet. They sure are making the most of it too. *wheeze gasp cough*

I watched Hurricane Man both times it aired. It was intense.
Yes, those guys are crazy, in a way, but I understand where they’re coming from. If I had the money to do it, I’d be out there chasing storms too. LOL

[radu]

You’ll have to wait a while yet for the next treasure find. LOL! No way I’m doing anything more over there until it cools off and that doesn’t seem to be in our near future.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, E...((HUGS))...did you and Gizmo have a fun weekend?

You guys have a great Monday.

[E.G.C.]

We had a fun trip to the lake. Gizmo walked the rocks and the areaon the beach besides the bushes. It was a little bit warm but we had fun.

[Kathy in Alaska]

If I had the money to do it, I’d be out there chasing storms too.

I know you would and enjoy every minute!

[Kathy in Alaska]

[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?