"DROP IN FARM PRICES TOUGHER ENEMY THAN BOCHE"

SGT. YORK ABOUT TO LOSE HIS TENNESSEE FARM

Pall Mall, Tennessee (JFK+50) On July 26, 1921, a special dispatch to the New York Tribune states that Sergeant Alvin C. York* "is about to lose his farm...because he cannot meet a mortgage of $12,500** due...this fall."

Alvin York, according to the dispatch, "has found the drop in corn and produce prices in the last year a much tougher enemy than the Boche--machine guns."

The Sergeant refused to take advantage of his fame by taking money for appearances, lectures and lending his name to advertising.  Thus, he is "working in the fields and worrying how he will meet the note."

*Alvin Cullum York (1887-1964) was born near Pall Mall, TN & worked on the family farm, on the railroad, & as a logger in Harriman, TN.  

A member of the Church of Christ in Christian Union, he was drafted into the US Army infantry despite having filed as a conscientious objector.

ACY became a "super-hero" of WWI by capturing 132 German soldiers "with his own hands."   His fame was enhanced by the movie "SGT YORK" starring Gary Cooper.

**York's farm had been partially paid for by a popular subscription of $11,235 when he returned home after WWI.

SOURCE

"Sergeant York, Super-Hero of Argonne, Faces Loss of Farm," The New York Tribune, July 27, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

   

 

Alvin C. York Home

Pall Mall, TN

Photo by Brian Stansberry (2009)

GREATEST THING ACCOMPLISHED BY ANY SOLDIER OF WWI

TENNESSEE'S ALVIN YORK IS HERO

Cornay, France (JFK+50) One hundred years ago, October 8, 1918, Corporal Alvin C. York* of Pall Mall, Tennessee led sixteen American doughboys in an attack on a German held position in the Argonne Forest.  Leaving his men to guard captured Germans, York proceeded to kill 25 enemy soldiers with his rifle and pistol before forcing 132 more to surrender.

Ironically, Corporal York, a pacifist and lay deacon of his church back in the mountains of Tennessee, was denied exemption from service on religious grounds.  York was drafted into the 328th Regiment, 82nd Infantry.

Marshal Ferdinand Foch, Supreme Allied Commander in WWI, said upon awarding Sgt. York with the Croix de Guerre...

"What you did was the greatest thing accomplished by any private soldier of all the armies of Europe."

The 1940 film, "Sergeant York" won an Academy Award for Best Actor which went to Gary Cooper.  Alvin York died on September 2, 1964 in Nashville.  His funeral service was held in Jamestown, TN.

*Alvin Cullum York (1887-1964) was born near Pall Mall, TN.  He attended school only 9 months quitting to work on the family farm.  He later worked on the railroad and as a logger.  After service in WWI, Alvin refused to take advantage of many opportunities to profit from his war experiences and instead established a foundation to increase educational opportunities for the youth of Tennessee.  

Sergeant Alvin C. York

Alvin C. York Home

Pall Mall, Tennessee

Photo by Brian Stansberry (2009)

             

I DON'T THINK I MISSED A SHOT. IT WAS NO TIME TO MISS!

TENNESSEE HERO ALVIN YORK BORN 140 YEARS AGO

Pall Mall, Tennessee (JFK+50) Alvin Cullum York was born 140 years ago, December 13, 1877, here in Pall Mall*.  Alvin was the third child of William and Mary York.  

As a corporal in the United States Army, York led sixteen Americans in an attack on a German held position in the Argonne Forest near Cornay, France during WWI.  Leaving his men to guard captured Germans, Alvin proceeded to kill 25 enemy soldiers with his rifle and pistol before forcing 132 more to surrender.

In his diary, Alvin York wrote...

"I don't think I missed a shot.  It was no time to miss."

Corporal York, promoted to Sergeant,  was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and the French Croix de Guerre.  When he arrived in New York City, York was given the key to the city and a ticker-tape parade. 

*Pall Mall is located in Fentress County and the Wolf River Valley near the KY-TN border in north central Tennessee.  AY's farmhouse and the York family grist mill are located here.  

York Grist Mill

Pall Mall, Tennessee

Photo by John White 

 Sergeant Alvin C. York Statue

State Capitol Grounds

Nashville, Tennessee

Photo by John White (2011)

ALVIN C. YORK OF TENNESSEE

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 2082

GREATEST THING ACCOMPLISHED BY ANY SOLDIER OF WWI

Cornay, France (JFK+50) Ninety-eight years ago today, October 8, 1918, Corporal Alvin C. York* of Pall Mall, Tennessee led sixteen American doughboys in an attack on a German held position in the Argonne Forest.

Leaving his men to guard captured Germans, York proceeded to kill 25 enemy soldiers with his rifle and pistol before forcing 132 more to surrender.

Ironically, Corporal York, a pacifist and lay deacon of his church back in the mountains of Tennessee, was denied exemption from service on religious grounds.  York was drafted into the 328th Regiment, 82nd Infantry.

Marshal Ferdinand Foch, Supreme Allied Commander in WWI, said upon awarding Sgt. York with the Croix de Guerre...

"What you did was the greatest thing accomplished by any private soldier of all the armies of Europe."

The 1940 film, "Sergeant York" won an Academy Award for Best Actor which went to Gary Cooper.  Alvin York died on September 2, 1964 in Nashville.  His funeral service was held in Jamestown, TN.

*Alvin Cullum York (1887-1964) was born near Pall Mall, TN.  He attended school only 9 months quitting to work on the family farm.  He later worked on the railroad and as a logger.

ACY won the Congressional Medal of Honor & the French Croix de Guerre for his exploits in WWI.   When he arrived in New York City, York was given the key to the city & a ticker-tape parade.  

Back home in Tennessee, Alvin refused to take advantage of many opportunities to profit from his war experiences and instead established a foundation to increase educational opportunities for the youth of Tennessee.  

ACY died of a cerebral hemorrhage on Sept. 2, 1964 and is buried in the Wolf River Cemetery in Pall Mall.    

Sergeant Alvin C. York

ALVIN C. YORK IN WWI

JFK+50:  Volume 5, No. 1737

TENNESSEE MOUNTAIN BOY BECOMES WORLD WAR I HERO

Cornay, France (JFK+50) 97 years ago today, October 8, 1918, Corporal Alvin C. York* of Pall Mall, Tennessee led sixteen American doughboys in an attack on a German held position in the Argonne Forest.

Leaving his men to guard captured Germans, York proceeded to kill 25 enemy soldiers with his rifle and pistol before forcing 132 more to surrender.

Ironically, Corporal York, a pacifist and lay deacon of his church back in the mountains of Tennessee, was denied exemption from service on religious grounds.  York was drafted into the 328th Regiment, 82nd Infantry.

Marshal Ferdinand Foch, Supreme Allied Commander in WWI, said upon awarding Sgt. York with the Croix de Guerre...

"What you did was the greatest thing accomplished by any private soldier of all the armies of Europe."

The 1940 film, "Sergeant York" won an Academy Award for Best Actor which went to Gary Cooper.  Alvin York died on September 2, 1964 in Nashville.  His funeral service was held in Jamestown, TN.

Sergeant Alvin C. York

*Alvin Cullum York (1887-1964) was born near Pall Mall, TN.  He attended school only 9 months quitting to work on the family farm.  He later worked on the railroad and as a logger.

ACY won the Congressional Medal of Honor & the French Croix de Guerre for his exploits in WWI.   When he arrived in New York City, York was given the key to the city & a ticker-tape parade.  

Back home in Tennessee, Alvin refused to take advantage of many opportunities to profit from his war experiences and instead established a foundation to increase educational opportunities for the youth of Tennessee.  

ACY died of a cerebral hemorrhage on Sept. 2, 1964 and is buried in the Wolf River Cemetery in Pall Mall.    

Alvin C. York Home

Pall Mall, Tennessee

Photo by Brian Stansberry (2009)

             

TENNESSEE'S WAR HERO

ALVIN YORK OF TENNESSEE, HERO OF FIRST WORLD WAR

Cornay, France (JFK+50) Corporal Alvin C. York* of Pall Mall, Tennessee led 16 American doughboys  in an attack on a German held position in the Argonne Forest near Cornay on October 8, 1918.

Leaving his men to guard captured Germans, York manged to kill 25 enemy soldiers with his rifle and pistol before forcing 132 more to surrender.

Sergeant Alvin C. York

Ironically, Corporal York, a pacifist and lay deacon of his church, had been denied exemption from service on religious grounds and was drafted into the 328th Regiment, 82nd Infantry.

Alvin C. York  was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and the French Croix de Guerre.  When he arrived in New York City, York was given the key to the city and a ticker-tape parade.  The people of Tennessee presented him with a farm in honor of his accomplishments.

Shortly after his heroics, Alvin was asked by a general how he possibly could have done what he did.  York responded....

"Sir, it was not man power.  It was divine power that saved me.  Before I went to war I prayed to God, and He gave me my assurance that so long as I believed in Him, not one hair of my head would be harmed.  Even in front of them machine guns, He (knew) I believed in Him."

Alvin C. York Home

Pall Mall, Tennessee

Photo by Brian Stansberry (2009)

John Perry's biography tells of the efforts of America's war hero to help educate the young people of his home county.

Perry writes...

"Alvin York began to shape the vision of a free, year-round school for children of the valleys and mountains of Tennessee.  Its buildings would be sturdy and warm, so that if a (child) didn't have a coat or shoes, they could still come to class. 

 It would have books, facilities and money to attract good teachers.  Most important of all, it would be built where the children...could get to it, or (get) free transportation.  Students could even board there during the week."

In his final chapter, 'A Hero's Legacy,' John Perry writes...

"Most important, Sergeant York is a hero because not only his school, but his inspiring example, transcend time and place.  His story still moves us.  His life is still an encouragement to all who feel the tug of their own blessing and burden for building a better world.

One look at this backwoods Tennessee farmer with a 3rd grade education, and we find ourselves persuaded that, if he can leave such a legacy, so might some who follow."

Marshal Ferdinand Foch, Supreme Allied Commander in WWI, said upon awarding Sgt. York with the Croix de Guerre...

"What you did was the greatest thing accomplished by any private soldier of all the armies of Europe."

The 1940 film, "Sergeant York" won an Academy Award for Best Actor which went to Gary Cooper.

Alvin York died on September 2, 1964 in Nashville.  His funeral service was held in Jamestown where General Matthew Ridgway represented President Lyndon B. Johnson.

SOURCE

"SGT. YORK, His Life, Legend and Legacy," by John Perry, Broadman and Holman Publishers, Nashville, TN, 1997."

JFK+50 COMMENT

During our 1st visit to Fentress County in the 1980s, we saw Alvin's younger brother, George, who is represented in the movie, sitting out on the porch of the York Grist Mill. 

York Grist Mill

Pall Mall, Tennessee

Photo by John White 

*Alvin Cullum York (1887-1964) was born near Pall Mall, TN.  He attended school only 9 months quitting to work on the family farm.  He later worked on the railroad and as a logger.

After WWI, York refused to take advantage of many opportunities to profit from his war experiences and instead established a foundation to increase educational opportunities for the youth of Tennessee.  

ACY died of a cerebral hemorrhage on Sept. 2, 1964 and is buried in the Wolf River Cemetery in Pall Mall.    

TENNESSEE'S ALVIN YORK, HERO

TENNESSEE'S ALVIN YORK BECAME HERO 95 YEARS AGO TODAY 

Cornay, France (JFK+50) Corporal Alvin C. York* of Pall Mall, Tennessee led 16 American doughboys  in an attack on a German held position in the Argonne Forest near Cornay 95 years ago today, October 8, 1918.

Leaving his men to guard captured Germans, York miraculously single-handedly killed 25 enemy soldiers with his rifle and pistol before forcing 132 more to surrender.

*Alvin Cullum York (1887-1964) was born near Pall Mall, TN.  He attended school only 9 months quitting to work on the family farm.  He later worked on the railroad and as a logger in Harriman, TN.

As a youth, he overcame alcoholism and joined the Church of Christ in Christian Union which opposed all forms of violence.

After WWI, York refused to take advantage of many opportunities to profit from his war experiences and instead established a foundation to increase educational opportunities for the youth of Tennessee.  

ACY died of a cerebral hemorrhage on Sept. 2, 1964 and is buried in the Wolf River Cemetery in Pall Mall.

                Sergeant Alvin C. York

Ironically, Corporal York, a pacifist and lay deacon of his church, had been denied exemption from service on religious grounds.

York was drafted into the 328th Regiment, 82nd Infantry.

Alvin C. York  was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and the French Croix de Guerre.  

When he arrived in New York City, York was given the key to the city and a ticker-tape parade.  The people of Tennessee presented him with a farm in honor of his accomplishments.

Shortly after his heroics, Alvin was asked by a general how he possibly could have done what he did.  York responded....

"Sir, it was not man power.  It was divine power that saved me.  Before I went to war I prayed to God, and He gave me my assurance that so long as I believed in Him, not one hair of my head would be harmed.  Even in front of them machine guns, He (knew) I believed in Him."

                Alvin C. York Home
              Pall Mall, Tennessee
Photo by Brian Stansberry (2009)

John Perry's biography of York tells of the efforts of America's war hero to help educate the young people of his home county.

Perry writes...

"Alvin York began to shape the vision of a free, year-round school for children of the valleys and mountains of Tennessee.  Its buildings would be sturdy and warm, so that if a (child) didn't have a coat or shoes, they could still come to class. 

 It would have books, facilities and money to attract good teachers.  Most important of all, it would be built where the children...could get to it, or (get) free transportation.  Students could even board there during the week."

In his final chapter, 'A Hero's Legacy,' John Perry writes...

"Most important, Sergeant York is a hero because not only his school, but his inspiring example, transcend time and place.  His story still moves us.  His life is still an encouragement to all who feel the tug of their own blessing and burden for building a better world.

One look at this backwoods Tennessee farmer with a 3rd grade education, and we find ourselves persuaded that, if he can leave such a legacy, so might some who follow."

Marshal Ferdinand Foch, Supreme Allied Commander in WWI, said upon awarding Sgt. York with the Croix de Guerre...

"What you did was the greatest thing accomplished by any private soldier of all the armies of Europe."

The 1940 film, "Sergeant York" won an Academy Award for Best Actor which went to Gary Cooper.

Alvin York died on September 2, 1964 in Nashville.  His funeral service was held in Jamestown where General Matthew Ridgway represented President Lyndon B. Johnson.

SOURCE

"SGT. YORK, His Life, Legend and Legacy," by John Perry, Broadman and Holman Publishers, Nashville, TN, 1997."

JFK+50 COMMENT

During our 1st visit to Fentress County back in the 1980s, we saw Alvin's younger brother, George, who is represented in the movie, sitting out on the porch of the York Grist Mill. 

York Grist Mill

George York in Chair

Pall Mall, Tennessee

Photo by John White (1980s)

When we went inside the small museum, there was an elderly lady who welcomed us and we learned later that she was a neighbor of the Yorks who lived with Alvin's wife, Gracie, after her husband died.

Alvin and Gracie's Neighbor

York Grist Mill Museum

Photo by John White (1980s)

*JFK+50 Note:  The images above were taken from prints made from original 35mm slides thus diminishing the quality.

Sergeant Alvin C. York Statue

  State Capitol Grounds

  Nashville, Tennessee

 Photo by John White (2011)

             

ALVIN YORK KILLS 25 GERMANS, CAPTURES 132

October 8, 1918

ALVIN YORK KILLS 25 GERMANS, CAPTURES 132 SINGLE-HANDEDLY

Cornay, France (JFK+50) Corporal Alvin C. York of Pall Mall, Tennessee led 16 American doughboys today in an attack on a German held position in the Argonne Forest near Cornay, France.

Leaving his men to guard captured Germans, York proceeded to kill 25 enemy soldiers with his rifle & pistol before forcing 132 more to surrender.

                Sergeant Alvin C. York

Ironically, Corporal York, a pacifist & lay deacon of his church back in the mountains of Tennessee, was denied exemption from service on religious grounds.

York was drafted into the 328th Regiment, 82nd Infantry.*

*Alvin C. York  was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor & the French Croix de Guerre.  When he arrived in New York City, York was given the key to the city & a ticker-tape parade.  Back home in Tennessee, he received a farm from the people of his state.

                 Alvin C. York Home
                Pall Mall, Tennessee
Photo by Brian Stansberry (2009)

The 1940 film, "Sergeant York" won an Academy Award for Best Actor which went to Gary Cooper.

Alvin York died on September 2, 1964 in Nashville.  His funeral service was held in Jamestown where General Matthew Ridgway represented President Lyndon B. Johnson.

JFK+50 COMMENT

Alvin C. York is a true Tennessee hero.  My high school US history teacher, Coach Jones, often talked about his visits with Alvin York & when I went to Fentress County in the 1980s,  I saw Alvin's younger brother, George, sitting out on the porch of the York Grist Mill. 

When we went inside the small museum, there was an elderly lady who welcomed us & she turned out to be a neighbor of the Yorks who lived with Alvin's wife, Gracie, after her husband died.

             Sergeant Alvin C. York Statue
                  State Capitol Grounds
                    Nashville, Tennessee
             Photo by John White (2011)