Corporal Alvin Cullium York, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on October 8, 1918 near Chatel-Chehery, France during World War I. At the time he was serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 328th Infantry 82d Division. York was 30 years old.
12 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. Presentation: April 1919 in France, presented by Maj. Gen. Duncan, commanding general 82nd Division. He later rose to the rank of Sergeant.
York was born on December 13, 1887 in Fentress County, Tennessee. His Medal of Honor is credited to Pall Mall, Fentress County, Tennessee. York died on September 2, 1964 in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 76. He is buried at Wolf River Cemetery in Pall Mall, Tennessee. His medal is held by Tennessee State Museum, Nashville, TN.
York is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 33 credited to Tennessee.
Official Medal of Honor citation
After his platoon had suffered heavy casualties and three other noncommissioned officers had become casualties, Cpl. York assumed command. Fearlessly leading seven men, he charged with great daring a machine-gun nest which was pouring deadly and incessant fire upon his platoon. In his heroic feat the machine-gun nest was taken, together with four officers and 128 men and several guns.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
How he died
- Manner of death: natural causes
- Cause of death: cerebral hemorrhage
- Age at death: 76
- Resting place: Wolf River Cemetery
Cause and manner of death: Wikidata.
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Alvin Cullium York received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Meuse-Argonne Offensive
Result: Allied victory; End of World War I
6 Medal of Honor recipients
1918 · World War IBattle of Saint-Mihiel
Result: Allied victory
6 Medal of Honor recipients
Also served in: Western Front, World War I.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Occupations: diarist, national hero
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Tennessee →
From the archives
Although many articles and movies depict General Pershing as the one who presented the Medal of Honor to York, telegrams in York's Military Personnel File say his division commander, General Duncan, was the one who presented the Medal to York in France.
Timeline
- December 13, 1887Born in Fentress County, Tennessee
- October 8, 1918Act of valor — near Chatel-Chehery, FranceAge 30. Company G, 2d Battalion, 328th Infantry 82d Division
- September 2, 1964Died in Nashville, TennesseeAge 76.
- Resting placeWolf River CemeteryPall Mall, Tennessee
Biography
Alvin Cullum York (December 13, 1887 – September 2, 1964), also known by his rank as Sergeant York, was one of the most decorated United States Army soldiers of World War I. He received the Medal of Honor for leading an attack on a German machine gun nest, gathering 35 machine guns, killing at least 25 enemy soldiers, and capturing 132 prisoners. York's Medal of Honor action occurred during the United States-led portion of the Meuse–Argonne offensive in France, which sought to breach the Hindenburg line and force the Germans to surrender. He earned decorations from several Allied countries during the war, including France, Italy, and Montenegro.
From the Wikipedia article “Alvin York”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Named in his honor
- Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park — Tennessee state park, farm
