October 8, 1918, Alvin York became one of the most decorated soldiers in U.S. Army History...
A pacifist from the mountains of Tennessee, he tried to avoid service as a conscientious Objector, claiming that he was not willing to kill other men. Yet he was also considered one of the best hunters, mountain men and shots in the region...
During the Meuse-Argonne offensive he killed some 32 Germans, many of them manning machine guns. Then captured 132 Germans including 4 officers. His actions silenced 35 machine guns in numerous nests. And saved his battalion from potential destruction.
His weapons were an '03 Bolt Action Springfield and a 1911 (Not a Luger as portrayed in the movie). With the 1911, he shot a whole squad of 5 Germans who were charging him... starting with the rear-most German, he killed them all before they reached his position.
After the war, the people of Tennessee bought him and his wife a farmstead/home that is now a national historic site. He refused all endorsements and offers of money for the use of his name... believing that he should not profit from his wartime service. But he did start a foundation to help educate rural farm kids, became a project supervisor for the Civilian Conservation Corps and tried to enlist in the Army in WW2. When he was not allowed because of his age, he became an advocate for training and supporting troops headed for Europe and the Pacific.
He was played by Gary Cooper in Sergeant York in 1941. Still one of my favorite movies! And a film that helped rally Americans to the cause in WW2. Lots of 'fiction' in it. But the basic story is from his diary and it remains one of the great American "War Films." Helped to motivate an entire generation of soldiers headed for the front in WW2.
Alvin York... The pacifist who became one of the most celebrated soldiers in American History! On this day
Sirhr
www.columbian.com
