Sergeant Alvin C. York
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Kelly Maddux
Newnan High School
Newnan, Georgia USA
Teacher: Stephen Quesinberry
Adv. World History, 10th grade
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| York, 1919, in the Argonne |
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| 1887-1964 |
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| Maps: Vantage Art, Massapequa, N.Y. |
| General Information
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- Born Alvin Cullium York, December 13, 1887, in Pall Mall, Tennessee.
- His life was turned around by a woman, Gracie Williams, who convinced
him to give up his worldly ways and go to church. Formed long held
and firm religious beliefs as a result.
- Drafted in 1917.
- Impressed the regular army officers with his ability to use a gun.
Shot accurately at ranges of 200, 300 and 500 yards. Struggled
with the moral issue of killing human beings, and refused to shoot
at human silhouettes (targets).
- At the battle of the Argonne Forest in the fall of 1918, as a
member of the 82nd division, he killed 25 Germans, knocked out 35
machine guns, and captured 132 prisoners almost single-handed.
- Recieved the French Medaille Militaire and Croix de Guerre, the
Italian Groce de Guerra and the American Medal of Honor.
- Came home to the adulation of the American people, married Gracie
Williams, and died in Nashville, Tenn. on September 2, 1964 after having a
cerebral hemorrage.
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| Quotes
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- "Sir, I am doing wrong. Practicing to kill people is against my religion."
- York, speaking of target practice at human silhouettes.
- "What you did was the greatest thing accomplished by any private soldier of all the armies of Europe."
- Marshall Ferdinand Foch, on York's feat in the Argonne.
- "This uniform ain't for sale."
- York, on demands for his endorsement.
- "It's over; let's just forget about it."
- York's modesty about the the event that brought him the Medal of Honor.
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