As the old saying goes, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” That was especially true for one heavily decorated World War I soldier who didn’t want to be involved in the war in the first place.

Alvin C. York was born in Pall Mall, Tennessee on December 13, 1887. But this local war hero had no ordinary story. His journey and life caught more than Hollywood’s attention.

Drafted into World War I

After applying for conscientious objector status to avoid being drafted into the Army, his application was ultimately denied. The young York was drafted into the Army and reported for duty at Georgia’s Camp Gordon in November of 1917. As the 3rd oldest of 11 children, the York family put food on the table through farming, hunting, and plenty of hard work. It was these hunting and survival skills that York would later use on the battlefield that made him famous.

Although he initially was against the war due to religious convictions, York became a model soldier during basic training. He joined G Company, 328th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Division, which traveled to France the following May.

Made History on the Battlefield

While on patrol along the Meuse River near the Argonne Forest on October 8th, York and 16 of his fellow soldiers were ambushed by a German machine-gun nest. While the patrol lost 9 soldiers, including the superior officer, the young United States Corporal Alvin C. York took charge of the squad.

As the group of men made their way closer to the German front, the German commander surrendered. York made history and was credited with killing over 20 German soldiers, along with capturing additional 132 enemy soldiers as the makeshift leader of 8 men. York stated that he didn’t want to kill the soldiers and was calling to them to surrender even as they were exchanging gunfire.

Brigadier General Julian Robert Lindsey:

"Well York, I hear you have captured the whole German army."

Sgt. Alvin York:

"No sir. I got only 132."

Decorated with Many Awards

It was that one battle, less than a year after being drafted, that earned York more than 40 awards after he returned home from war. Among them were the Congressional Medal of Honor and the French Croix de Guerre. The General at the time, General John “Blackjack” Pershing, stated that York was “the greatest civilian soldier of the war.”

Back Home to Tennessee

Once York returned home to Tennessee, he was flooded with offers to make commercials, movies, books, and even political endorsements. York believed that it was wrong to profit from war and originally turned down all of the offers.

York and his young family enjoyed life on a farm in Pall Mall that was gifted to the family by a group of businessmen. He worked as a construction project manager of the Byrd Lake Reservoir as well as the Superintendent of Cumberland Mountain State Park.

Plan a visit to Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park

Stay at nearby Laurel Fork Rustic Retreat and visit historic Pall Mall, Tennessee, hometown of one of the most decorated soldiers of World War I!

Leaving a Legacy

York opened the Alvin C. York Institute, a school for underprivileged children. To help secure funds for the school, he finally agreed to the making of a movie in 1941 named Sergeant York. The Alvin C. York Institute is the only school in the country that is financed and operated by both the state and national governments.

After years of health problems, Alvin C. York died in 1964. He was laid to rest at the Wolf River Cemetery in Pall Mall, Tennessee and is remembered as an American hero.