Alvin Cullum York



Sergeant Alvin York



  Alvin Cullum York (December 13, 1887- September 2, 1964) was also known as Sergeant York, was about the most decorated American soldiers in World War I, including the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, World War I victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Legion d'Honneur(France),Croix de guerre (Palm), War Merit Cross, Croce di Guerra al Merito (Italy), and Montenegrin War Medal (Montenegro).

 

   Alvin was born near Pall Mall, Tennessee, on December 13, 1887, the third of 11 children. His Mother was Mary Elizabeth Brooks (8 August 1886 - 21 May 1943) and William Uriah York (15 May - 17 November 1911). At the time, the York family was impoverished. The York sons attended school for 9 months, then withdrew from education to help hunt small game for the York's food. When William York died, Alvin helped raise his other young siblings. Sadly, Alvin was a violent alcoholic prone to fighting in saloons, and had several arrests in the area, and his mother tried to change her sons ways without success.  

    Although he had a history of drinking and fighting, he attended church regularly and he would lead the singing. A revival meeting at the end of 1914 led him to believe in Christ  on January 1, 1915. The church York attended opposed violence on the outbreak of World War I, York implied,"I was worried clean through. I didn't want to go and kill. I believed in my Bible." On June 5, 1917,at age 29, Alvin registered for the draft for all men age 21-31 that day. He answered the question,"Do you claim exemption from a draft (specify grounds)?" by writing," Yes. Don't want to fight." Then he registered as a conscientious objector, but was denied. Alvin then was registered to the Company G, 328th Infantry, 82nd Division at Camp Gordon, commanded by Capt. Edward Courtney Bullock Danforth (1894-1973)and Major Gonzalo Edward Buxton (1880- 1949). They tried to take over the Deckolby Railroad to end the supply to the Germans in the Aarogon Forest, with success, ending the war.

 

      York's fame was unnoticed to the press, but when the Saturday Evening Post was published, York Became pretty famous, getting offers like movies of his life, subway tours in a special car, and meeting the President! He married Gracie Williams and together had eight children.


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