Alvin York

Alvin Cullum York (1887-1964) was a United States soldier, famous for his heroism in World War I.

York was born in near poverty in Pall Mall, Tennessee. His family owned a meager farm and often supplemented their diet via hunting. As a result young Alvin became an expert marksman in the area woods. York was something of a "nuisance" as a youth, frequently fighting in drunken brawls. In 1914 his best friend was killed in a bar fight, prompting York to change his ways. He became a devout Christian after that incident, which led him to file as a conscientious objector at the start of WWI (though there are disputes as to his exact technical status).

York eventually was drafted into the 82nd Infantry Division[?] in 1917. In the Battle of Meuse River-Argonne Forest[?] he single handedly killed 25 German soldiers and captured an amazing 132, as well as a number of enemy machine guns. For this accomplishment he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross[?], the French Croix de Guerre[?], the French Legion of Honor, the Croce di Guerra[?] of Italy, the War Medal of Montenegro[?], and the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Returning home as a war hero he founded a private agriculture university near his home town.

He died of a cerebral hemorrhage[?] in 1964 and is buried in Pall Mall.

Gary Cooper played York in the 1941 movie Sergeant York.