Sergeant York began military service reluctantly as a Conscientious Objector. He, along with Charles Whittlesey and Samuel Woodfill, was one of three World War I Medal of Honor recipients chosen by General John J. Pershing to act as a pall bearer for the Unknown Soldier of World War I. His heroic actions were later made into a movie with Gary Cooper starring as Alvin York.
Sponsored by:
Alvin
Cullium
York
December 13, 1887
–
September 2, 1964
Cemetery:
Wolf River Cemetery
Awards Received
-
Medal of Honor
-
Medal of Honor
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
CorporalRegiment:
328th Infantry RegimentDivision:
82d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
October 8, 1918
War Department, General Orders No. 59 (May 3, 1919)The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Corporal Alvin Cullium York (ASN: 1910421), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 8 October 1918, while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 328th Infantry, 82d Division, in action at Chatel-Chehery, France. After his platoon had suffered heavy casualties and three other noncommissioned officers had become casualties, Corporal York assumed command. Fearlessly leading seven men, he charged with great daring a machinegun nest which was pouring deadly and incessant fire upon his platoon. In this heroic feat the machinegun nest was taken, together with four officers and 128 men and several guns.