Sergeant Alvin York of Tennessee, World War I National Hero

[appalachiablue]

Last edited Mon Nov 12, 2018, 04:03 PM - Edit history (2)

Alvin Cullum York (1887–1964), also known as Sergeant York, was one of the most decorated US Army soldiers of World War I. York received the Medal of Honor for leading an attack on a German machine gun nest, taking at least one machine gun, killing at least 25 enemy soldiers and capturing 132.

York's Medal of Honor action occurred during the US-led portion of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in France, which was intended to breach the Hindenburg line and force the Germans to surrender. He earned decorations from several allied countries during WWI, including France, Italy and Montenegro. After Armistice Day, a group of Tennessee businessmen purchased a farm for York, his new wife, and their growing family. York later formed a charitable foundation to improve educational opportunities for children in rural Tennessee.

The 1941 Warner Bros. movie about his World War I exploits, "Sergeant York," was that year's highest-grossing film; Gary Cooper won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of York, the film was credited with enhancing American morale as the US mobilized for action in World War II and it received praise from President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Born in rural Tennessee, York was one of 11 children, tall, 6' 2" with red hair. His parents farmed, and his father worked as a blacksmith. York and his siblings helped provide for the family, which included hunting, fishing, and working as laborers. During World War I he was drafted, initially claimed conscientious objector status on the grounds that his religious denomination forbade violence but once persuaded that his religion was not incompatible with military service, York joined the Army as an infantry private and went to France in 1918.

In Oct. 1918, as a newly-promoted corporal, York was one of a group of 17 soldiers assigned to infiltrate German lines and silence a machine gun position. The US patrol had captured a large group of enemy soldiers, the Germans counter attacked; York was the highest ranking of those still able to fight, so he took charge. He attacked the machine gun position, killing several German soldiers with his rifle before running out of ammunition.

Six German soldiers then charged him with bayonets and York drew his pistol and killed all of them. An enemy officer offered to surrender, York accepted and marched back to his unit's command post with more than 130 prisoners. York was immediately promoted to sergeant and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross which was upgraded to the Medal of Honor. York's feat made him a national hero and international celebrity among allied nations.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_York

[RHMerriman]

1. Couple of other things worth mentioning:

In 1941, York volunteered to serve in the US Army; given his age and physical disabilities, he did not serve in the combat arms, but was commissioned and served honorably until 1945 in training and MWR assignments. He was a firm Democrat and supporter of FDR, and spoke out against isolationism in 1939-41.

York's unit in the AEF was the 328th Infantry Regiment, 82nd "All American" Division, which was raised for service in Europe and made up of cadre, volunteers, and draftees from across the United States (hence the name). The division was demobilized after the war, but raised again in 1942 as part of the WW II mobilization, initially as an infantry division, but was converted to the first airborne division in the US army with a mix of parachute and glider-borne units. The 82nd Airborne Division dropped into Sicily, saw action in Sicily and Italy against the Germans and Italians, and then was one of the two US airborne divisions (the other was the 101st) that dropped in Normandy and again in the Netherlands in 1944 and served against the Nazis through to the end of the war in Europe. The 82nd has remained an active component division of the US army ever since, and elements served throughout the Cold War, in Vietnam, and Southwest Asia. Alvin York, to this day, is regarded as an exemplar of the 82nd's soldierly traditions.

The 328th Infantry Regiment was also re-raised for WW II, but was not converted for airborne duty nor serve with the 82nd; instead, as a standard "straightleg" infantry unit, it served as part of the 26th Infantry Division throughout 1944-45 in northwestern Europe, with a distinguished record.

[appalachiablue]

2. Thank you, glad York was a Democrat; good info. on the illustrious 82nd.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/82nd_Airborne_Division