Alvin C. York

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Alvin Cullum York
December 13, 1887(1887-12-13) – September 2, 1964 (aged 76)
York.jpg  MOH WWI.jpg
Sergeant Alvin York
Nickname "Sergeant York"
Place of birth Pall Mall, Tennessee
Place of death Nashville, Tennessee
Place of burial Wolf River Cemetery Pall Mall
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Rank Corporal (at the time of Medal of Honor action), Sergeant (at end of war), Colonel (Tennessee State Guard WW II rank)
Unit 82nd Infantry Division
Commands held 7th Regiment, Tennessee State Guard
Battles/wars World War I
Awards Medal of Honor
Legion of Honor French
Croix de Guerre French
Croce di Guerra (Italian)
War Medal Montenegro

Alvin Cullum York (December 13, 1887 – September 2, 1964) was a United States soldier, famous as a World War I hero. 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. This action took place during the U.S.-led portion of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in France, which was part of a broader Allied offensive masterminded by Marshal Ferdinand Foch to breach the Hindenburg line and ultimately force the opposing German forces to capitulate.[1]

Contents

[edit] Background

Alvin Cullum York was born in Pall Mall, Tennessee on December 13, 1887,[2] the third of eleven children to Mary Elizabeth Brooks (12 February 1865 - 10 October 1951) and William York (31 August 1827 - 29 March 1911).[3] William York was a Confederate soldier during the American Civil War, and a native of Buncombe County, North Carolina,[4] whom settled in Fentress County after the conclusion of the American Civil War. Mary Elizabeth York was born in Pall Mall, Tennessee to William Brooks and Nancy Pile, and was the great-granddaughter of Coonrod Pile, an English settler whom settled in the Valley of the Three Forks of the Wolf in Tennessee. The York siblings are, in order: Henry, Joseph, Alvin, Samuel, Albert, Hattie, George, James, Lillian, Robert, and Lucy.[4] The York family is of English, Irish, Choctaw, and Cherokee ancestry.[5]

The York family resided in the Indian Creek area of Fentress County.[4] The family was impoverished, with William York working as a blacksmith, and the father and sons of the family having to gather and harvest their own food, while the mother knitted her family clothing.[4] When William York died in 1911, his son Alvin was the oldest living sibling, and assisted his mother in raising her children and his younger siblings.[4] However, in the few years before the war, York was a violent alcoholic and prone to fighting in saloons. His mother, a member of a pacifist Protestant denomination, tried to persuade York to change his ways, however to no avail. Then during a night of heavy drinking when he and a friend got into a fight with other saloon patrons, York's friend was killed. The event shook York so much that he finally followed his mother and became a pacifist, and stopped drinking. On June 5, 1917, at the age of 29, Alvin York received a notice to register for the draft. From that day until he arrived back from the War on May 29, 1919, he kept a diary of his activities.[6]

York belonged to a Christian denomination, the Church of Christ in Christian Union, which, despite having no specific doctrine of pacificism, discouraged warfare and violence.[7] According to documentation (see image), York did apply for conscientious objector status but was not approved. York's diary, however, states that when documentation reached him in camp for discharge from the Army on the basis of both religious grounds and sole support for his mother, he refused to sign, and disclaimed ever being a conscientious objector.[8]

[edit] World War I

Claim of Appeal to being drafted for World War I for Alvin Cullum York.

York enlisted in the United States Army and served in Company G, 328th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Infantry Division at Camp Gordon, Georgia. Discussion of the Biblical stance on war with his company commander, Captain Edward Courtney Bullock Danforth (1894–1974) of Augusta, Georgia and his battalion commander, Major Gonzalo Edward Buxton (1880–1949) of Providence, Rhode Island, eventually convinced York that warfare could be justified.[2]

During an attack by his battalion to secure German positions along the Decauville rail-line north of Chatel-Chehery, France, on October 8, 1918, York's actions earned him the Medal of Honor. He recalled:

“ The Germans got us, and they got us right smart. They just stopped us dead in our tracks. Their machine guns were up there on the heights overlooking us and well hidden, and we couldn’t tell for certain where the terrible heavy fire was coming from… And I'm telling you they were shooting straight. Our boys just went down like the long grass before the mowing machine at home. Our attack just faded out… And there we were, lying down, about halfway across [the valley] and those German machine guns and big shells getting us hard.[9] „

Four non-commissioned officers and thirteen privates under the command of Sergeant Bernard Early (which included York) were ordered to infiltrate behind the German lines to take out the machine guns. 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 a counter-attack against the U.S. troops. Early’s men were contending with the prisoners when machine gun fire suddenly peppered the area, killing six Americans: Corp. Murray Savage, and Pvts. Maryan E. Dymowski, Ralph E. Weiler, Fred Waring, William Wins and Walter E. Swanson, and wounding three others, Sgt. Early, Corp. William S. Cutting (AKA Otis B. Merrithew) and Pvt. Mario Muzzi. The fire came from German machine guns on the ridge, which turned their weapons on the U.S. soldiers. The loss of the nine put Corporal York in charge of the seven remaining U.S. soldiers, Privates Joseph Kornacki, Percy Beardsley, Feodor Sok, Thomas C. Johnson, Michael A. Saccina, Patrick Donohue and George W. Wills. As his men remained under cover, and guarding the prisoners, York worked his way into position to silence the German machine guns.

York recalled:

“ And those machine guns were spitting fire and cutting down the undergrowth all around me something awful. And the Germans were yelling orders. You never heard such a racket in all of your life. I didn't have time to dodge behind a tree or dive into the brush… As soon as the machine guns opened fire on me, I began to exchange shots with them. There were over thirty of them in continuous action, and all I could do was touch the Germans off just as fast as I could. I was sharp shooting… All the time I kept yelling at them to come down. I didn't want to kill any more than I had to. But it was they or I. And I was giving them the best I had.[10] „
York, at the hill where his actions earned him the Medal of Honor, three months after the end of World War I on February 7, 1919

One of York’s prisoners, German First Lieutenant Paul Jürgen Vollmer of 1st Battalion, 120th Württemberg Landwehr Regiment[1], emptied his pistol trying to kill York while he was contending with the machine guns. Failing to injure York, and seeing his mounting losses, he offered to surrender the unit to York, which was gladly accepted. By the end of the engagement, York and his seven men marched 132 German prisoners back to the American lines. His actions silenced the German machine guns and were responsible for enabling the 328th Infantry to renew its attack to capture the Decauville Railroad.[11]

York was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism, but this was upgraded to the Medal of Honor, which was presented to York by the commanding general of the American Expeditionary Force, General John J. Pershing. The French Republic awarded him the Croix de Guerre and Legion of Honor. Italy and Montenegro awarded him the Croce di Guerra and War Medal, respectively.

York was a corporal during the action. His promotion to sergeant was part of the honor for his valor. Of his deeds, York said to his division commander, General George B. Duncan, in 1919: "A higher power than man power guided and watched over me and told me what to do."

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Citation:

After his platoon 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 machine gun nest which was pouring deadly and incessant fire upon his platoon. In this heroic feat the machine gun nest was taken, together with 4 officers and 128 men and several guns.[12]

[edit] Post-war life

York after World War I

On June 7, 1919, York and Gracie Williams were married by Tennessee Governor Albert H. Roberts. They had seven children, most named after American historical figures: five sons (Alvin Cullum, Jr.; Edward Buxton; Woodrow Wilson; Andrew Jackson; and Thomas Jefferson) and two daughters (Betsy Ross and Mary Alice).[13]

York founded the Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute, a private agricultural school in Jamestown, Tennessee, that was eventually turned over to the State of Tennessee. The school, now known as Alvin C. York Institute, is the only fully state-funded public high school in the State of Tennessee. The school is a nationally recognized school of excellence and boasts the highest high school graduation percentage in the state. It is home to almost 800 students.

York also opened a Bible school, and later operated a mill in Pall Mall on the Wolf River.

During World War II he attempted to re-enlist in the Infantry but was denied because of age. Instead he went on bond tours and made personal appearances to support the war effort. 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. He was also involved with recruiting and war bond drives as well as inspection tours of American soldiers in training.

Alvin 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.[14] His funeral sermon was delivered by Richard G. Humble, General Superintendent of the Churches of Christ in Christian Union. Humble also preached Mrs. York's funeral in 1984.

[edit] Honors and awards

[edit] Military awards

Ribbon-MOH.jpg US-DSC-RIBBON.png World War I Victory Medal ribbon.svg
American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg Legion Honneur Chevalier ribbon.svg
Ruban de la Croix de guerre 1914-1918.PNG Croce di guerra al valor militare BAR.svg Order of Prince Danilo I of Montenegro ribbon.jpg

[edit] Honors

Alvin C. York Veterans Hospital
Located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Alvin C. York Institute
Founded as a private agricultural high school in 1926 by Alvin York and residents of Fentress County, the school became public in 1937 because of the Depression and continues to serve as Jamestown's high school.
1941 film
York's story was told in the 1941 movie Sergeant York, with Gary Cooper in the title role. York refused to authorize a film version of his life story unless he received a contractual guarantee that Cooper would be the actor to portray him. Cooper won the Academy Award for Best Actor and the film was the highest-grossing picture of 1941.[15]
York Avenue, NYC
York Avenue on the Upper East Side of Manhattan was named for the Sergeant in 1928.[16]
M-247 (DIVAD weapon system)
In the 1980s, the United States Army named its DIVAD weapon system "Sergeant York"; the project was cancelled because of technical problems and massive cost overruns.[17]
U.S. Postal Service Distinguished Soldiers stamp
On May 5, 2000, the United States Postal Service issued the "Distinguished Soldiers" stamps, in which York was honored.[18]
Laura Cantrell song
Laura Cantrell's song "Old Downtown" mentions York in depth.[19]
President Reagan funeral procession
The riderless horse in the funeral procession of President Ronald Reagan was named Sergeant York.[20]
82nd Airborne theater
The 82nd Airborne Division's movie theater at Fort Bragg, North Carolina is named York Theater.[21]
Sergeant York Historic Trail
"The Sergeant York Historic Trail is being constructed under the supervision of LTC Douglas Mastriano and the Sergeant York Discovery Expedition in the Argonne,
Inauguration of Trail and Monument on October 4th 2008
so that all visitors to the Argonne can walk where York walked. Boy Scout troops have already started work on the trail. All French officials in the region approved the trail and the locations of markers. A large dedication ceremony will be done on the spot of York's feat in a date TBD. A large contingent from the French military and the U.S. Army are expected."[22][23]
Football trophy
The traveling American football trophy between Austin Peay, UT Martin, Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech is called the Alvin C. York trophy.[24]
229th Military Intelligence Battalion hall
The 229th U.S. Army Military Intelligence Battalion, Alpha Company, Monterey, California, dedicated their soldiers' hall in honor of Sgt. York. Col. Gerald York (U.S. Army, retired, grandson of Alvin York) officiated at the dedication ceremony.[citation needed]
Sergeant Alvin C. York Statue
A monumental statue of York by sculptor Felix de Weldon was placed on the grounds of the Tennessee State Capitol in 1968.
Alvin C. York Memorial
A modest bronze helmet rests atop a stone flag on the grounds of East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee. A poem on this monument is dedicated to York.

[edit] See also

World War I portal
United States Army portal

[edit] References

Inline
  1. ^ Sgt Alvin York. Retrieved: October 21, 2008.
  2. ^ a b "Trust amidst doubt and adversity: The Testimony of Alvin C York".
  3. ^ York Family Genealogy at ancestry.com
  4. ^ a b c d e Sergeant Alvin York at laughter genealogy
  5. ^ York Indian Heritage at ancestry.com
  6. ^ "Sergeant York Biography". MedalofHonor.com. http://www.medalofhonor.com/Sgt.York.htm. Retrieved 2007-10-23. 
  7. ^ "Tennessee's "Christian Warrior"". workersforjesus.com. http://www.workersforjesus.com/york.htm. Retrieved 2008-06-10. 
  8. ^ "Diary of Alvin York". York Insitute. http://web.archive.org/web/20050311191425/volweb.utk.edu/Schools/York/diary.html. Retrieved 13 June 2009.  Entry for November 17, 1917.
  9. ^ York, Sergeant York: His Own Life Story and War Diary, 1928.
  10. ^ "The SYDE Story", The Sergeant York Discovery Expedition.
  11. ^ Mastriano, Douglas, Brave Hearts under Red Skies.
  12. ^ "York, Alvin C.", (Medal of Honor citation), CMH.
  13. ^ Williams, Gladys. "Alvin C. York". York Institute. Archived from the original on 2005-03-26. http://web.archive.org/web/20050326202450/http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/York/biography.html.  G. Edward Buxton was York's battalion commander in the 328th Infantry.
  14. ^ "Alvin Cullum York", Find-A-Grave.
  15. ^ "Sergeant York Review". Allmovie. http://www.allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll?p=avg&sql=1:43758~T1. Retrieved 2008-07-25. 
  16. ^ Pollak, Michael (2005-08-07). "The Great Race — "A Tennesseean Honored"". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/07/nyregion/thecity/07fyi.html?_r=1&oref=slogin. Retrieved 2007-10-23. 
  17. ^ Wilentz, Amy (September 9, 1985). "No More Time for Sergeant York". TIME magazine. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,959780,00.html. Retrieved 2007-10-23. 
  18. ^ "Distinguished Soldiers". America's 2000 Stamp Program. United States Postal Service. http://www.usps.com/images/stamps/2000/soldiers.htm. Retrieved 2007-10-23. 
  19. ^ "Laura Cantrell Biography". Matador Records. 2005-06-21. http://www.matadorrecords.com/laura_cantrell/biography.html. Retrieved 2007-10-23. 
  20. ^ Dave Kindred (2004-06-21). "A proud performer after all". The Sporting News. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_25_228/ai_n6126991. Retrieved 2007-10-23. 
  21. ^ "Ft Bragg — York Theatre". Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). http://www.aafes.com/ems/conus/bragg.htm. Retrieved 2007-10-23. 
  22. ^ "York trail-work begins! SYDE honors York, soldiers and preserves a piece of history". SYDE News. Sergeant York Discovery Expedition. http://www.sgtyorkdiscovery.com/SYDE_NEWS.php. Retrieved 2007-10-23. 
  23. ^ "Historic Trail". Sergeant York Project. http://www.sgtyorkdiscovery.com/SYDE_NEWS.php. Retrieved 2007-10-23. 
  24. ^ Scott, Marlon (2007-10-03). "The New Sergeant York Trophy Series". The All State. http://media.www.theallstate.com/media/storage/paper801/news/2007/10/03/Sports/The-New.Sergeant.York.Trophy.Series-3009039.shtml. Retrieved 2007-10-23. 
General

[edit] External links

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