Sgt.
Alvin
Cullum
York
Born December 13, 1887
in Pall Mall, Fentress Co., TN
Son of
William York and
Mary Brooks
Brother of
Henry York, Lillie Stewart and Lucy Rains [add sibling]
Husband of
Gracie Williams
(Married in
[location?] July 7, 1919)
[children?]
Died September 2, 1964
in Nashville, TN
About Alvin York
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 realized 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).
York became a hero overnight. Yet despite the large throngs of crowds demanding speeches who gathered in New York City, Pall Mall, and every other stop York made, he was eager only to return home to his family, friends... and Gracie. In full uniform, wearing the U.S. Medal of Honor, he and Gracie were married on June 7, 1919, by the Governor of the state.
For the next 10 years, York was well honored. Yet he turned down the many offers to endorse products, star in motion pictures and so on, though he did accept a few of the lighter deals, using the money to provide for his wife and growing family. A lovely home was given to York by the Nashville Rotary Club, with 400 acres of prime bottom land, and it served well for the many, many visitors who stopped by. Gracie always invited them to stay for a meal, and the conversations continued late into the night.
York also began the Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute. In 1929, York decided—after much pushing from friends—to publish his war diary, in an effort to raise more money for the failing Institute and to build a school for the local mountain children. He was a compelling speaker and many flocked to hear him. But though many seemed interested, few gave monetarily, and in 1937 York gave the Institute to the state, which had more finances available. The Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute is still in operation today.
Eventually, the world began to turn to other heroes. And with tension appearing again in Europe, York found himself only aging, his past fading away. He decided to stay home, quietly farming, his aim being to minister to those who came to see him, not trying to go to them.
But the Lord, and a man from Hollywood named Jesse Lasky, had other plans. Lasky was determined to make the story of York into a movie, and by 1941 it became a reality. York advised in many areas, and Gary Cooper made a convincing copy of the humble, backwoods hero. Cooper gave up smoking on the set because York had such a strong objection to it. Though the movie was a great success (more so after World War II), and Cooper won two awards, York’s time for nation-wide recognition was over.
By the 1950’s, he had suffered several small strokes, but was still active in cattle breeding, farming, and so on. He was 13 years older than Gracie, but it didn’t stop them both from entertaining guests, telling & re-telling stories of their childhood & York’s war service, and occasionally consenting to be interviewed by a curious reporter. Speeches were given occasionally, especially on Memorial Day.
In 1954, York suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and spent the rest of his life paralyzed from the waist down. Until his death in 1964, York still talked to visitors as he was able and played with his grandchildren from his bed. On September 2, he went into the Veterans Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, unconscious, and died that same day.
Alvin C. York was buried in Pall Mall amid hymn-playing, including "Onward Christian Soldiers" (his favorite); a 21-gun salute; and then Taps while the coffin was being lowered.
Heroes come, heroes go. The world exalts one for a time, then drops him for another. In all this, there is comfort in knowing what truly matters in life; the one who follows the Lord’s leading can be certain of his or her destination. Neither Gracie, nor those who had ever heard the tiniest bit about Sgt. York, had any doubt that York was in Heaven. York himself said shortly before he died that, "If I don’t go back home [to Pall Mall] today, I will go to Heaven. And that be the truth."
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