Alvin York

Alvin York

By: Parker Tugaw

       Alvin Cullum York, known also by his rank, Sergeant York, was one of the most decorated American soldiers in World War I. He received the Medal of Honor for leading an attack on a German machine gun nest, taking 32 machine guns, killing 28 German soldiers, and capturing 132 others. York was drafted into the United States Army and served in Company G, 328th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Infantry Division at Camp Gordon, Georgia. On October 8th, 1918, York's actions earned him the medal of honor for capturing german positions. York was promptly promoted to Sergeant and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism.


       York refused many offers to profit from his fame, including thousands of dollars offered for appearances, newspaper articles, and movie rights to his life story. Companies wanted him to appear in advertisements or to pose with their products. Instead he lent his name to various charitable and civic causes. More celebrations followed the wedding, including a week-long trip to Nashville where York accepted a special medal awarded by the state. However, the Nashville Rotary organized a farm purchase by public subscription of a 400-acre (1.6 km2) farm, the one gift that York accepted. It proved not to be the fully equipped farm he was promised, and he had to borrow money to stock it. He subsequently lost money in the farming depression that followed the war. Then the Rotary, which was purchasing the property in installments, failed to make the payments, leaving York to pay himself. Plus, leaving him with very little money after the war.

Source:
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_C._York#World_War_I