In all, his unit captured 132 German prisoners and the remainder of his squad made it back to the American line. In this heroic feat the machinegun nest was taken, together with 4 officers and 128 men and several guns. 31, 2021, thoughtco.com/sergeant-alvin-c-york-2360159. The story of Sgt. All Rights Reserved. ThoughtCo, Jul. Copyright 2023 National Rifle Association, To watch complete segments of past episodes of American Rifleman TV, go to, . His actions silenced the German machine guns and were responsible for enabling the 328th Infantry Regiment to renew the offensive to capture the Decauville Railroad.[4]. Alvin York. Changing the day will navigate the page to that given day in history. York managed to work his way with his squad and the 132 prisoners Arriving back in the United States in late May, York was hailed as a hero and was honored with a ticker-tape parade in New York City. In order to sight me or to swing their machine guns on me, the Germans had to show their heads above the trench, and every time I saw a head I just touched it off. In the wake of his father's death in 1911, York, as the eldest still living in the area, was forced to aid his mother in raising his younger siblings. The truth may never be known on the issue, as Yorks rifle and gear was taken from him by a sailor as soon as he walked off the ship in New York harbor, never to be seen again. A poem on this monument is dedicated to York. On October 8, 1918, United States Corporal Alvin C. York reportedly kills over 20 German soldiers and captures an additional 132 at the head of a small detachment in the Argonne Forest near the Meuse River in France. Unable to serve in combat, he instead played a role in war bond and inspection tours. A strict fundamentalist sect, the church forbade violence and preached a strict moral code that forbade drinking, dancing, and many forms of popular culture. Accessed March 11, 2021. https://www.theworldwar.org/museum-lessons. The stress of supporting his family was difficult. and used the proceeds from the book and movie of his life, When informed that Hollywood wanted to make a film about his exploits in World War I, York insisted that only. [10], During the funeral procession of President Ronald Reagan, the riderless horse in the funeral procession was named Sergeant York.[11]. Sgt. Alvin C. York We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. He used his fame, and the money from a movie about his life, to educate the youth in his community. Our boys just went down like the long grass before the mowing machine at home. York rarely talked about his time in France during World War I. In 1939, York was appointed superintendent of the Cumberland Homesteads near Crossville. During World War Two, he tried to re-enlist in the Army but was denied because of his physical condition. Accessed March 11, 2021. http://www.worldwar1.com/heritage/sgtayork.htm. to attack a heavily defended hill near Chatel-Chehery. Sgt. York became the song leader and a Sunday School teacher at the local church. In 1914 Alvin York was a young man living in the mountains around Pall Mall, Tennessee. worked his way to a point near the occupied German trenches that were For all-new episodes of ARTV, tune in Wednesday nights to Outdoor Channel8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. EST. When his case was reviewed by local and state draft authorities, his request was denied as his church was not a recognized Christian sect. Sergeant Alvin York: Personal Accounts That Reveal His True Story In Search of Sergeant Alvin York: The man, The myth, and the legend. As York witnessed the death and wounding of several in his unit, he saw that he must fight and kill in order to prevent further bloodshed among his fellow American soldiers. York Agricultural Institute. Sergeant York Patriotic Foundation. This left York in command of the remaining seven men. By the end of the engagement, York and his seven men marched 132 German prisoners back to the American lines. For a long time, York remained active in raising money for his Tennessee region, where many residents lived below the poverty line. When York at last relented, he announced that the film would "be a true picture of my lifemy contributions since the war. Alvin Cullum York was born in rural Pall Mall, Tennessee. Last modified January 31, 2021. http://history.army.mil/html/bookshelves/resmat/WWI.html. His promotion to sergeant was part of the honor for his valor. York only had nine months of schooling but had gained a variety of skills exploring and hunting for game in the mountains of Tennessee. Though it improved his behavior, Yorks particular religiosity brought its own set of problems when World War I erupted and the time arrived for military drafts. Alvin C. York used a M1903 or M1917, his actions on Oct. 8, 1918, are one of the most well-renowned actions of a U.S. soldier in World War I and proof that he was a true American rifleman. Governor Prentice Cooper approved York's endorsement by naming him chief executive of the Fentress County Draft Board, and appointed him to the Tennessee Preparedness Committee to help prepare for wartime. When given his French decorations by Marshal Ferdinand Foch, the supreme allied commander commented, "What you did was the greatest thing ever accomplished by any soldier by any of the armies of Europe." Alvin York, Alvin York and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php?title=Alvin_York&oldid=1117992, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License, corporal (at the time of Medal of Honor action), sergeant (at end of war), Colonel (Tennessee State Guard WW II rank). Some would argue the M1 Garand is "the greatest battle implement ever devised," however the rifle that replaced the M1903 Springfield certainly had its share of setbacks, especially while capturing attention of the U.S. Marine Corps. [3], One of Yorks prisoners, German first lieutenant Paul Jrgen Vollmer of 1st Battalion, 120th Wrttemberg Landwehr Regiment, emptied his pistol trying to kill York while he was contending with the machine guns. He returned home to contemplate the issue and after days of prayer and reflection made the decision to follow orders and fight. A year later, the then Cpl. He learned the skills of marksmanship as a young man hunting to help put food on the table, and became a crack shot. Free-agent Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook will visit with the Jets this weekend, coach Robert Saleh confirmed to reporters Thursday. The French Republic awarded him the Croix de Guerre and Legion of Honor. Cooper won the Academy Award for Best Actor. Russell during which he concluded that he needed to change his ways or risk suffering a fate similar to Delk. York liked the idea, and it was carried through.[7]. On October 4, 2008, more than 600 Soldiers, family members, American Boy Scouts, and history enthusiasts from around the world joined with residents of Chatel-Chhry village and the French military to honor York with the official dedication of two monuments marking the site where he earned his decorations for valor. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. York's actions clearing the machine guns reinvigorated the 328th's assault and the regiment advanced to secure a position on the Decauville Railroad. By signing up you are agreeing to our, Former President Jimmy Carter Is Still Building His Legacy, One Home at a Time, 2023 TIME USA, LLC. Allies conduct ceremonies to honor U.S. World War I hero Sgt. They had seven children. FILEThis is a 1919 file photo of Sgt. During this time, he had extensive conversations with his company commander, Captain Edward C.B. U.S. Army Corporal Alvin C. York gained hero statusbecoming one of the most acclaimed American soldiers of World War Iafter receiving a Medal of Honor for his actions at Chtel-Chhry, France, on Oct. 8, 1918. On moral grounds, the young man decided that he could not kill another human being, and so he sought exemption from combat. York focused primarily on making life in the rural regions of Tennessee kinder to its residents. distinguished himself in basic training until he was ordered to shoot Though he had sought to downplay his battlefield exploits, he remains a war hero and an example to other soldiers who sometimes must kill for the sake of their countrymen. Kennedy Hickman is a historian, museum director, and curator who specializes in military and naval history. In 1954, York suffered a cerebral hemorrhage which disabled him for the rest of his life. While a devout Christian, he was also a patriot who believed that God ordained governments as instruments to be obeyed. As a young man, he became a binge-drinking weekend patron of illicit moonshine bars where violence often erupted, and in which he sometimes partook. He considered running for the U.S. Senate against the freshman senator, Albert Gore. The surviving Germans had had enough minutes the squad was down to seven unwounded men, York included. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. He preached that in order to achieve world peace, Americans must first secure it at home beginning with their own families. If you won't shoot anymore, Ill make them surrender., York agreed, after which Lt. Vollmer shouted a command, and the German soldiers in the trench dropped their weapons, put their hands up and surrendered. York used the skills he had learned hunting in the mountains of Tennessee to work his way toward the gun, slowly and calmly approaching the enemy position. In addition to the Medal of Honor, York received the French Croix de Guerre and Legion of Honor, as well as the Italian Croce al Merito di Guerra. In an effort to eliminate the machine guns, 17 men led by Sergeant Bernard Early, including York, were ordered to work around into the German rear. October 5, 2022 by Christy Martin. It is home to almost 800 students. Shaken by this incident, York attended a revival meeting led by H.H. [5], York died at the Veterans Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, on September 2, 1964, of a cerebral hemorrhage and was buried at the Wolf River Cemetery in Pall Mall.[8]. York had little formal education but was an. Though he still opposed the war, he returned to Camp Gordon to prepare for deployment to Europe. He wanted to tell the story of his life after the war and the work he had done at home. York also later tried to create a Bible school, but a lack of funds and poor health prevented it from being accomplished. Though wooed by filmmakers and advertisers, York was eager to return home to Tennessee. A federal judge in New York has rejected former President Donald Trump's request to move his hush-money criminal case into federal court. Follow the signs on the Wolf River Loop Rd to the small cemetery, on the north side. In 2008, first grade teacher Alvin Irby stopped by a Bronx barbershop after school for a haircut. York received a number of awards for his actions including the Medal of Honor and the French Croix de Guerre. After Rounding up the prisoners in the immediate area, York and his men had captured around 100 Germans. Alvin York single-handedly captured or killed an entire German battalion. Unfortunately, York was practically destitute in 1951. On June 7, 1919, York married Gracie Williams. Lauded by The New York Times as the wars biggest hero and by General John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF), as the greatest civilian soldier of World War I, York went on to found a school for underprivileged children, the York Industrial Institute (now Alvin C. York Institute), in rural Tennessee. Nashville, Tennessee, USA (undisclosed) Birth name Alvin Cullum York Mini Bio Alvin Cullum York was born in rural Pall Mall, Tennessee. The Yorks struggled in poverty, which only worsened when York's father died in 1911. Accessed March 11, 2021. https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/alvin-c-york. York applied for Conscientious objector status, but his request was refused. On June 5, York registered for the draft as required by law, but wrote on his draft card, "Don't want to fight.". Despite this desire, Sergeant York was released in 1941, and focused on his time in France. On the way back to the Allied lines, York and his squad took more prisoners, for a total of 132. Mulholland, John and Gerald York. (1887-1964). Brigham Young University Library. Sgt. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. York was also awarded the Croix de Guerre, the Medaille Militaire and the Legion of Honour by the French. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. After the war, his life was brought to the big screen by Gary Cooper in the award-winning film Sergeant York. Allies conduct ceremonies to honor U.S. World War I hero Sgt. Alvin Cullum York (December 13, 1887 - September 2, 1964), also known by his rank as Sergeant York, was one of the most decorated United States Army soldiers of World War I. York Discovery, Discover the Testimony of Sergeant York. A hard worker, York showed a devotion to promoting the welfare of his family. Alvin York later went on to become an officer in the reserves and the Tenn. State Guard. Nineteen rusted Colt .45 cartridges buried in northeastern France along with 250 German machine gun casings, and other artifacts were found at the site in the Argonne forest near France's border with Belgium. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here: The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia: Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed. The threat of war rekindled the interest of some filmmakers, most notably Jesse L. Lasky, into reviving the story of York's exploits during World War I. Lasky, having witnessed the famous New York reception of the hero from his eighth floor office window had wanted then to tell York's story. The Sergeant York Historic Trail was constructed in the Argonne forest. Alvin Cullum York was born in Pall Mall, Tennessee, on December 13, 1887, into a family of farmers. York was one of 11 children who didn't attend school regularly because their father needed help with the family farm. Find History on Facebook (Opens in a new window), Find History on Twitter (Opens in a new window), Find History on YouTube (Opens in a new window), Find History on Instagram (Opens in a new window), Find History on TikTok (Opens in a new window), Current one is: October 8. He received a Medal of Honor for his actions in France . He attended church only because it was the one place where he was allowed to socialize with the girl he liked. Sergeant York, the Man and the Movie. By Steve Scully. York finally agreed when he decided that the money made from the film could be used to create an interdenominational Bible school. York kept a diary of his years just before the war and all during the war that became a movie script and became a classic Christian testimony of the struggle to follow God and to still obey the commandment, "thou shalt not kill.". Though York wanted a peaceful life in rural Tennessee, he had been exposed to a much larger and industrialized world. By Lt. Col. Taylor V. Beattie They had spent a cold, wet, miserable evening in October 1918 in a drainage ditch along the Varennes-Fleville road. An active member of the congregation, York met his future wife, Gracie Williams, through the church while also teaching Sunday school and singing in the choir. An unexpected error has occurred with your sign up. Pinned down by This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The family was so confident that Alvin York used an M1903 that his statue at the state capital in Nashville, Tenn., features a M1903. Believing he had killed around 20 Germans, and not wishing to kill more than necessary, he began calling for them to surrender. He also founded the Alvin C. York Foundation, whose goal was to increase education for those in Tennessee, and in 1935 York began work with the Civilian Conservation Corps. killing three and wounding five. Now called the Alvin C. York Institute, the high school is the only comprehensive, vocational school operated by a state government. soldiers, counting the 20 the squad had taken earlier, was 132. The modest hero turned down The claim in Pennsylvania state Sen. Doug Mastriano's 2014 book about York, that a 1918 U.S. Army Signal Corps photo was mislabeled and actually shows York with three German officers he . Despite pleas from his mother to improve his behavior, York persisted in drinking. After he knocked out the machine-gun crew, several German soldiers in a trench uphill from York launched a bayonet attack against him. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for leading an attack on a German machine gun nest, taking 32 machine guns, killing 28 German soldiers, and capturing 132 others during the U.S.-led Meuse-Argonne Offensive in France . American soldiers were thus trained and drilled for marksmanship with their rifles before being shipped off to France. He received the Medal of Honor for leading an attack on a German machine gun nest. In the course of the fight, 28 Germans were killed and 35 machine guns captured. The Sergeant Alvin C. York Statue by sculptor Felix de Weldon was placed on the grounds of the Tennessee State Capitol in 1968. When asked on numerous occasions how he wanted to be remembered, York often said, "for The church and the home, therefore, represented the cornerstones of world peace.[5]. Unfortunately not enough money was raised and they gave him an unfinished home and saddled him with a healthy mortgage.[5]. The group worked their way behind the Germans and overran the headquarters of a German unit, capturing a large group of German soldiers who were preparing to counter-attack against the U.S. troops. Inducted into the 328th Infantry Regiment on November 24, 1917, he Altering his behavior, he became a member of the Church of Christ in Christian Union. By reviewing artifacts recovered from the battlefield using military . The Alvin C. York Memorial depicts a modest bronze helmet atop a stone flag on the grounds of East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee. Alvin C. York (born Alvin Cullum York; December 13, 1887September 2, 1964) was one of the U.S. Army's most notable heroes during World War I. York received the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 8, 1918, during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Perhaps the most celebrated U.S. soldier from Word War I, Alvin York, wrote these words on his on his draft registration card: dont want to fight. But York did fight. In 1941, York's story was told in the movie Sergeant York, with Gary Cooper in the title role. intense machine-gun fire, York joined a squad of 17 men that attempted While Early's men began securing the prisoners, the German machine gunners up the slope turned several of their guns and opened fire on the Americans. (2021, July 31). But before York could reach the gun, a group of five Germans rushed his position. Articles with the HISTORY.com Editors byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan, Matt Mullen and Christian Zapata. Under the influence of his high school girlfriend--and his sought exemption as a conscientious objector, but was turned down. Alvin York, who originally tried to excuse himself from service as a conscientious objector,. Alvin York was in-theater with the 328th Infantry Regiment during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in France. Promoted to corporal, York took part in the St. Mihiel offensive that September as the 82nd sought to protect the US First Army's right flank. Alvin York in a family photo before the war. In the course of an attack, he led a small group that captured more than 130 prisoners and he single-handedly eliminated multiple German machine guns and their crews. Alvin C. York in 1919. As his men remained under cover, and guarding the prisoners, York worked his way into position to silence the German machine guns. In 1937, York not only condemned war but also questioned America's involvement in the First World War. York quickly killed or wounded all of the Germans in the bayonet charge and then advanced up the hill to a position where he could look down the German trench. He convinced the state of the need for a reserve force at home and was active in the creation of the Tennessee State Guard in 1941, in which he served as a Colonel and Commanding Officer of the 7th Infantry Regiment. The school, now known as Alvin C. York Institute, is the only fully state-funded public high school in the State of Tennessee. American History TV, C-SPAN, October 24, 2018. With his men behind cover guarding the prisoners, York moved to deal with the machine guns. 3E | An Official Journal Of The NRA, I Have This Old Gun: Schmeisser Model I | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Armed Citizen protected by Smith & Wesson, The Armed Citizen July 28, 2023 | An Official Journal Of The NRA, NRA Women | The Armed Citizen July 28, 2023, When A First Gun Comes Home | An Official Journal Of The NRA, NRA Women | The Armed Citizen July 21, 2023, The Mayors Gun-Control Comments Are Telling | An Official Journal Of The NRA, NRA Hunters' Leadership Forum | Proposed U.K. Ban on Legally Hunted Wildlife Imports Clears Another Hurdle, NRA Hunters' Leadership Forum | NFL Pro Carson Wentz under Fire for Killing Alaska Black Bear, NRA Hunters' Leadership Forum | NRAs Karen Mehall Phillips Wins National POMA Writing Award, Review: Taurus Raging Hunter 10-Inch .460 S&W Magnum | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Taurus Raging Hunter 10-Inch .460 S&W Magnum, Bonus Round: Rugers 7-Shot GP100 Revolver | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Rifleman Review: Colt Anaconda | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Video Review: Springfield Armory Echelon Semi-Auto Pistol | NRA Family, Video Review: Browning Citori Hunter Grade II Over/Under Shotgun | NRA Family, Video Review: Savage 93 Minimalist Rifle | NRA Family, Make Mine Metal: The Alloy-Frame KelTec P15 | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Preview: Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P9 M2.0 Competitor | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal, NRA Women | New for 2022: 20-Gauge Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus, Preview: Springfield Armory 1911 DS Double-Stack 9 mm Pistol Lineup | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal, The Keefe Report: True Velocity's Leap | An Official Journal Of The NRA, The Keefe Report: On The Range With An American Hero | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Trust But Verify: Function-Checking Your Guns | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Find More Great NRA Publications Perfect For Every Interest, Discover Everything That The NRA Has To Offer. York, The Man Who Killed Or Captured More Than 100 Germans In A Single WWI Battle " [T]hose. German troops in neighboring trenches, who opened fire on them. In doing so, they overran and captured a German headquarters area and secured a large number of prisoners including a major. Failing to injure York, and seeing his mounting losses, he offered to surrender the unit to York. Upon Yorks death in 1964, U.S. President Lyndon Johnson called him a symbol of American courage and sacrifice who epitomized the gallantry of American fighting men and their sacrifices on behalf of freedom.. Alvin C. York, the reluctant World War I infantryman who became an American legend, died this morning at Veterans Administration Hospital after a long illness. A higher power than man power guided and watched over me and told me what to do. Check here if you would like to receive subscription offers and other promotions via email from TIME group companies. Here's what you need to know: The four-time Pro Bowler . The award was presented to York by American Expeditionary Forces commander General John J. Pershing. York assumed command. The unscathed hero received high military honors from such Allied nations as France, Italy and Montenegro. These cookies do not store any personal information. Near the end of the film Joan Leslie, who played Gracie Williams York, leads Gary Cooper down a lane and shows him a new house that she says is his-gift to him by the State of Tennessee. Through York's association with Lasky and Warner Brothers, he became convinced that Hitler represented the personification of evil in the world and turned belligerent. Accessed March 11, 2021. https://sgtyork.org/york-agricultural-institute. By 1917 World War I was in its third year, already claiming millions of lives and leaving massive destruction across Europe. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. The relief fund paid the IRS $100,000 and placed $30,000 in trust to be used in the family's best interest. A drunken brawler who found God and a hero of World War I who spent the rest of his life using his fame to help people: that just . HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.

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