Sergeant Alvin C. York

by Jana Marie Baldridge

Sergeant York...either you know him well or you’ve never heard of him. The man became a World War I hero in just hours. The story of Alvin York killing men to save lives was spread through all the newspapers in 1919. But, as happens so many times, the world soon drifted to another hero, and most of what is known concerning York’s life is what was portrayed in the 1941 movie starring Gary Cooper.

1887 was the year Alvin Cullum York was born on December 13, in Pall Mall, Tennessee. He was the third of ten children, growing into a stubborn young man who worked hard only because of his father’s direction and discipline.

Alvin’s father, William York, died when Alvin was in his early twenties. Alvin left the farming to his younger brothers, and overwhelmed by the sudden responsibility of manhood suddenly thrust upon him, turned to a life of drinking, rowdiness, and occasional run-ins with the law. His mother begged and pleaded with him for years to stop, but it wasn’t until the late part of 1914 that York finally relented, asked forgiveness from his family, friends, and God, and joined the local church on January 1, 1915.

Some say that a side reason for this conversion was because he had become mighty interested in Gracie, the 16-year-old daughter of F.A. Williams. Their paths met often in the field, and although York never formally proposed until after World War I, their attachment was clear. But two years later, disaster and ruin struck the little valley. World War I had begun and America was in need of more men to fight. York, with the counsel and urging of his pastor, filed a form to stay at home as a conscientious objector; but all four of his requests were rejected, and November of 1917 found York leaving for a training camp in Georgia. He and Gracie promised to remain faithful to each other, but his true worries had to do with the fighting. How could one shoot another and call it right, when the Bible clearly teaches against such actions?

By May of the next year, however, York had talked at length with his captain, and was finally convinced that killing men (the Germans) to save lives (the Americans and other Europeans) was another story altogether. York sailed for France, not with the aim of becoming a hero, but determined to use his excellent shooting abilities to stop the war. And though York did not end the war himself, he certainly played a major role in bringing it to a close! On October 8, in the battle of the Argonne, Alvin C. York captured 132 prisoners, nearly single-handedly, killing almost 30 men himself. His diary details the humor, yet seriousness of the situation. York was promoted to Sergeant and received the Distinguished Service Cross, the French Croix de Guerre, the French Legion of Honor, the Croce di Guerra of Italy, and the War Medal of Montenegro.

York became a hero overnight. Yet despite the large throngs of crowds demanding speeches who gathered in New York City, Pall Mall, and every other stop York made, he was eager only to return home to his family, friends....and Gracie. In full uniform, wearing the U.S. Medal of Honor, he and Gracie were married on June 7, 1919, by the Governor of the state.

For the next 10 years, York was well honored. Yet he turned down the many offers to endorse products, star in motion pictures and so on, though he did accept a few of the lighter deals, using the money to provide for his wife and growing family. A lovely home was given to York by the Nashville Rotary Club, with 400 acres of prime bottom land, and it served well for the many, many visitors who stopped by. Gracie always invited them to stay for a meal, and the conversations continued late into the night.

York also began the Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute. In 1929, York decided—after much pushing from friends—to publish his war diary, in an effort to raise more money for the failing Institute and to build a school for the local mountain children. He was a compelling speaker and many flocked to hear him. But though many seemed interested, few gave monetarily, and in 1937 York gave the Institute to the state, which had more finances available. The Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute is still in operation today.

Eventually, the world began to turn to other heroes. And with tension appearing again in Europe, York found himself only aging, his past fading away. He decided to stay home, quietly farming, his aim being to minister to those who came to see him, not trying to go to them.

But the Lord, and a man from Hollywood named Jesse Lasky, had other plans. Lasky was determined to make the story of York into a movie, and by 1941 it became a reality. York advised in many areas, and Gary Cooper made a convincing copy of the humble, backwoods hero. Cooper gave up smoking on the set because York had such a strong objection to it. Though the movie was a great success (more so after World War II), and Cooper won two awards, York’s time for nation-wide recognition was over.

By the 1950’s, he had suffered several small strokes, but was still active in cattle breeding, farming, and so on. He was 13 years older than Gracie, but it didn’t stop them both from entertaining guests, telling & re-telling stories of their childhood & York’s war service, and occasionally consenting to be interviewed by a curious reporter. Speeches were given occasionally, especially on Memorial Day.

In 1954, York suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and spent the rest of his life paralyzed from the waist down. Until his death in 1964, York still talked to visitors as he was able and played with his grandchildren from his bed. On September 2, he went into the Veterans Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, unconscious, and died that same day.

Alvin C. York was buried in Pall Mall amid hymn-playing, including "Onward Christian Soldiers" (his favorite); a 21-gun salute; and then Taps while the coffin was being lowered.

Heroes come, heroes go. The world exalts one for a time, then drops him for another. In all this, there is comfort in knowing what truly matters in life; the one who follows the Lord’s leading can be certain of his or her destination. Neither Gracie, nor those who had ever heard the tiniest bit about Sgt. York, had any doubt that York was in Heaven. York himself said shortly before he died that, "If I don’t go back home [to Pall Mall] today, I will go to Heaven. And that be the truth."

Recommendations:

Sgt. York: His Life, Legend & Legacy by John Perry, published by Broadman & Holman Publishers – Of the few books that are in print about Sgt. York, this is the absolute best

http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/York/history.html – This website includes a long biography, list of other resources, complete copy of York’s diary (extremely interesting!), photos, links, and a time line.

The movie, "Sergeant York," starring Gary Cooper, made in 1941 – My family has enjoyed this movie tremendously, and especially appreciates its accuracy. I’d recommend buying the full version—the TV version had many lovely parts edited.