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A True American Hero Alvin C. York A True American Hero Alvin C. York

A True American Hero Alvin C. York - PowerPoint Presentation

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A True American Hero Alvin C. York - PPT Presentation

18871964 Sgt Alvin York Hero of Argonne Forest Born in log cabin in Tennessee 3 rd of 11 children Worked as Blacksmith amp Farmer Brawling alcoholic Pacifist mother begged him to give up life of violence ID: 641894

guns york life war york guns war life machine medal german hero conscientious objector status tennessee men prisoners amp

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Slide1

A True American Hero

Alvin C. York

1887-1964Slide2

Sgt. Alvin York –

Hero of Argonne Forest

Born in log cabin in Tennessee

3rd of 11 childrenWorked as Blacksmith & FarmerBrawling alcoholicPacifist mother begged him to give up life of violenceBest friend beaten to death in Saloon brawlSlide3

A New Life of Pacifism

Gave up his life of brawling

Committed to a new life in Christ (1915)

Chose a life of Pacifism 3 Years later, at age 29 York was draftedYork applied for conscientious objector statusSlide4

From Conscientious Objector to Hero!

Conscientious Objector status denied

In training, told his commander he was against war because of 10 Commandments

Captain showed him New Testament verse, “I bring you not peace but a sword”It was all York needed!Slide5

Later, disclaimed Status

Status approved later in war

Sgt. York refused to sign

Disclaimed ever having been a conscientious objectorSlide6

From Pacifist to Hero

Member of a 17-man unit

Sent to capture enemy machine guns

Stumbled upon Ger. HeadquartersTook prisonersMachine guns opened fire killing 9 men in York’s unitLeaving York in chargeSlide7

His Amazing Deeds

As his men remained under cover, and guarding the prisoners, York worked his way into position to silence the German machine guns. And those machine guns were spitting fire and cutting down the undergrowth all around me something awful. And the Germans were yelling orders. You never heard such a racket in all of your life. I didn't have time to dodge behind a tree or dive into the brush… As soon as the machine guns opened fire on me, I began to exchange shots with them. There were over thirty of them in continuous action, and all I could do was touch the Germans off just as fast as I could. I was sharp shooting… All the time I kept yelling at them to come down. I didn't want to kill any more than I had to. But it was they or I. And I was giving them the best I had.Slide8

During the assault, a group of eight German soldiers in a trench near York were ordered to charge him with fixed

bayonets

. York had fired all the rounds in his rifle, but drew out his pistol and shot all eight of the soldiers before they could reach him

.One of York’s prisoners, German First Lieutenant Paul Jürgen Vollmer (who spoke fluent English), emptied his pistol trying to kill York while he was contending with the machine guns. Failing to injure York, and seeing his mounting losses, he offered to surrender the unit to York, who gladly accepted. By the end of the engagement, York and his seven men marched 132 German prisoners back to the American lines. His actions silenced the German machine guns and were responsible for enabling the 328th Infantry to renew its attack to capture the Decauville

Railroad

.Slide9

Awards and Honors

Medal of Honor

Distinguished Service Cross

World War I Victory Medal

American Campaign Medal

World War II Victory Medal

French

Légion

d'honneur

French

Croix de guerre

with Palm

Italian

Croce

di

Guerra

Montenegrin War MedalSlide10

After the War

Married Gracie Williams, 1919. Moved back to Tennessee. Had 7 children, all named after historical figures.Slide11

Life of service to nation & Tennessee

Built Ag. School, Bible school, and high school in Tennessee

Built a mill in his hometown

Tried to enlist in WWII, denied due to ageStarted Tenn. State GuardSpoke on Bond ToursRecruited & InspectedSlide12

The Stuff of Movies

Filmed in 1941, during WWII

Alvin York resisted at first until war broke out

Gave permission only if Gary Cooper played him

The movie won 2 Academy Awards, Best ActorSlide13

Still Joyful at Life’s End

Passed Away in 1964 of a Stroke

Still positive and joyful in 1962 at age 77