What happened to Sergeant York after the war?
After the war, York returned to Tennessee, married his childhood sweetheart and settled on a farm on the Wolf River. In later years, his interest in better education for mountain children led him to found a vocational school at Jamestown, Tenn. He died in Nashville, Tenn., on Sept. 2, 1964.
How historically accurate is Sergeant York?
The film turned out to be a highly accurate representation of history, mainly because of the studio's fear of lawsuits. Alvin C. York and several of the townsmen in Tennessee, including the pastor who counseled him, refused to sign releases unless the film was portrayed accurately.
Was the movie Sergeant York based on a real person?
Sergeant York is a 1941 American biographical film about the life of Alvin C. York, one of the most decorated American soldiers of World War I. Directed by Howard Hawks and starring Gary Cooper in the title role, the film was a critical and commercial success, and became the highest-grossing film of 1941.
How old was Sergeant York when he died?
76 years (1887–1964)Alvin York / Age at deathYork, the reluctant World War I infantryman who became an American legend, died this morning at Veterans Administration Hospital after a long illness. He was 76 years old.
Who was the most famous soldier in World War 1?
Sgt. Alvin YorkIf someone were to ask “Who earned the most prestigious U.S. medals in WWI?” the answer most people might give is Sgt. Alvin York. The exploit that earned him the Medal of Honor (MOH) is legendary, and his name became synonymous with WWI.
How many prisoners did Sgt York capture?
132On October 8, 1918, United States Corporal Alvin C. York reportedly kills over 20 German soldiers and captures an additional 132 at the head of a small detachment in the Argonne Forest near the Meuse River in France. The exploits later earned York the Medal of Honor.
Are any of Sergeant York children still alive?
He still lives on his father's land in Pall Mall. Sgt. York's three living children, George Edward York, Andrew Jackson York, 83, and Betsy Ross York, 81, placed a wreath on their father's grave. All mentioned they are grateful that his legacy lives on and continues to inspire new generations.
Who was the most decorated soldier in World War II?
Audie MurphyAudie Leon Murphy (20 June 1925 – 28 May 1971) was an American soldier, actor, songwriter, and rancher. He was one of the most decorated American combat soldiers of World War II....Audie MurphyAllegianceUnited StatesService/branchUnited States Army United States Army National Guard United States Army Reserve13 more rows
Who is most decorated US soldier?
Audie Murphy (1924–1971) was the most decorated soldier in US history, winning 24 medals from the Congressional Medal of Honor down. His exploits were the subject of To Hell and Back (USA, 1956), in which he starred as himself.
How many men were with York when he captured the German soldiers?
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....Alvin York.Alvin C. YorkBornDecember 13, 1887 Fentress County, Tennessee, U.S.DiedSeptember 2, 1964 (aged 76) Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.17 more rows
Where is Sgt York buried?
Wolf River Cemetery, Pall Mall, TNAlvin York / Place of burial
What rifle did Sgt York use?
As part of Company G of the 328th Infantry, 82nd Division, York had quickly established himself as the best shot in his unit. He found the U.S. Model 1903 Springfield rifle (. 30-06) to be quite to his liking.
Where is Sgt York buried?
Wolf River Cemetery, Pall Mall, TNAlvin York / Place of burial
How old was Joan Leslie in Sergeant York?
90 years (1925–2015)Joan Leslie / Age at death16-year old Leslie eventually got the part. Sergeant York was a critical and financial success, becoming the highest-grossing movie of 1941. It received 11 Oscar nominations and Cooper won the Best Actor award. Cooper (aged 40) was 24 years her senior.
Did Sergeant York get hit by lightning?
The film begins when York—one of 11 children born into a poor family in northern Tennessee—is a young man. An incorrigible troublemaker, he drinks heavily and fights often. However, after being struck by lightning, he undergoes a religious awakening that turns his life around.
Did Alvin York get struck by lightning?
After being struck by lightning, Alvin goes into the church. He was drenched by the heavy rainstorm, yet his clothes and hair are barely wet as he walks through the church.
What is the movie Sergeant York about?
(film) Sergeant York is a 1941 American biographical film about the life of Alvin C. York, one of the most decorated American soldiers of World War I. Directed by Howard Hawks and starring Gary Cooper in the title role, the film was a critical and commercial success, and became the highest-grossing film of 1941 . ...
Who wrote Sergeant York and his people?
Sergeant York And His People, by Sam Cowan, 1922, from Project Gutenberg. Alvin York and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, by Douglas Mastriano, Military History magazine, Sept 2006. (Corporal York's actions as seen from the German perspective.)
How much did Sergeant York cost?
Country. United States. Language. English. Budget. $1.7 million. Box office. $8.3 million. Sergeant York is a 1941 American biographical film about the life of Alvin C. York, one of the most decorated American soldiers of World War I. Directed by Howard Hawks and starring Gary Cooper in the title role, the film was a critical ...
Why was Sergeant York a success?
Sergeant York was a success at the box office and became the highest-grossing film of 1941. It benefited from the attack on Pearl Harbor, which occurred while the film played in theaters. The film's patriotic theme helped recruit soldiers; young men sometimes went directly from the movie theater to military enlistment offices. After its initial release, the film was frequently reshown at theaters all over America during the war as a quick replacement for box-office flops and as a theme program for bond sales and scrap drives.
Where is Alvin York?
Just before America's entry into World War I, Alvin York is a poor, young farmer in rural Tennessee, near the Kentucky border, living with his widowed mother, sister, and brother. Alvin's leisure time is spent fighting and getting drunk with friends.
When was Sergeant York's Medal of Honor discovered?
Photos and details of the discovery of the site where York earned the Medal of Honor, Discovered 21 October 2006 by the Sergeant York Discovery Expedition. Craig S. Smith (October 26, 2006). "Proof offered of Sergeant York's war exploits". International Herald Tribune.
When was Sergeant York selected for preservation?
In 2008, Sergeant York was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
What was York known for?
York was known for spending money as he earned it and giving what he had away to those he felt needed it more.
Who played Alvin York in the movie?
Alvin York (as played by Gary Cooper) at a local “Blind Tiger.’. (Warner Brothers Pictures)
Where did Doby think he might get a chance?
Seaman Lawrence Eugene “Larry” Doby’s first realistic thought that they might give him a chance happened on the remote Pacific atoll of Ulithi, the Navy ‘s staging base for the invasion of Okinawa during World War II.
Who is Tim Kirkpatrick?
Tim Kirkpatrick. Posted On January 28, 2019 18:46:01. Known as one of America’s greatest war heroes, Alvin York was a profoundly religious man who found himself plenty conflicted when he learned he’d been drafted into the U.S. Army. Although very worried at the prospect of taking another man’s life, the Tennessee native chose to honor his military ...
Did Sergeant York win the Medal of Honor?
Although York saved many lives, killed many enemy troops, and earned the Medal of Honor, he gained true nationwide notoriety after Sergeant York, a film about his life, debuted in cinemas. Not only did the 1941 classic secure York a spot in the history books, it preserved his story and legacy for generations to come.
Who was the subject of the 1941 Gary Cooper movie?
Learn more about World War I Medal of Honor recipient who was the subject of the 1941 Gary Cooper film simply called Sergeant York.
What disease did William York get?
In 1911, William York contracted typhoid fever and passed away. Alvin was about 24 at this time and with all of the long hours he’d spent with his father in the fields or at his blacksmith shop—Alvin didn’t take it well.
What was the only option Alvin York had?
So the only option he had, in his mind, was to go to war. And so, on November 15th, 1917, Alvin York reported for duty. In the movie, the question of what was right wasn’t settled in his mind, though. He wrestles with this until one of his commanding officers named Captain Ed Danforth helps Alvin come to a solution.
How many children did William and Mary York have?
That’s when William and Mary York welcomed Alvin into the world. He was their third child, but was hardly their last. They’d go on to have 11 children total—eight boys and three girls. Just like the movie says, this happened in the small community of Pall Mall in Tennessee.
When did Alvin York start?
To understand this, and to understand who the real Alvin York was, we have to go back to before the timeline in the movie. So the film starts in 1916, but let’s hop back for a moment to Dec 13th, 1887.
Who is the man who shoots his initials into the tree in the movie?
This time it’s three men outside, riding horses, whooping and hollering as they shoot their pistols off in the air. Although the movie doesn’t mention his name, we can clearly see one of the men who shoots his initials into the tree is Gary Cooper’s character, Alvin York.
Did Alvin shoot the turkeys?
And although that scene with Alvin shooting his initials in the tree outside the church didn’t really happen as far as I can tell, there was a similar incident where Alvin was drunk and saw a bunch of turkeys. So he took a shot at them.
Who was the actor who played Sergeant York?
After the war, his life was brought to the big screen by Gary Cooper in the award-winning film Sergeant York.
What was the name of the company that York was assigned to?
Now 30 years old, York was assigned to Company G, 328th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Infantry Division and posted to Camp Gordon in Georgia. Arriving, he proved a crack shot but was seen as an oddity because he did not wish to fight. During this time, he had extensive conversations with his company commander, Captain Edward C.B. Danforth, and his battalion commander, Major G. Edward Buxton, relating to the Biblical justification for war.
What happened to York in 1914?
During this period, York became a heavy drinker and was frequently involved in bar fights. Despite pleas from his mother to improve his behavior, York persisted in drinking. This continued until the winter of 1914, when his friend Everett Delk was beaten to death during a brawl in nearby Static, Kentucky. Shaken by this incident, York attended a revival meeting led by H.H. Russell during which he concluded that he needed to change his ways or risk suffering a fate similar to Delk.
How many prisoners did York deliver to his battalion headquarters?
Advancing through artillery fire, York and the surviving men delivered 132 prisoners to his battalion headquarters. This done, he and his men rejoined their unit and fought through to the Decauville Railroad. In the course of the fight, 28 Germans were killed and 35 machine guns captured. York's actions clearing the machine guns reinvigorated the 328th's assault and the regiment advanced to secure a position on the Decauville Railroad.
What offensive did the 82nd take part in?
With the successful conclusion of fighting in that sector, the 82nd shifted northward to take part in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.
What did the Church of York do?
A strict fundamentalist sect, the church forbade violence and preached a strict moral code that forbade drinking, dancing, and many forms of popular culture. An active member of the congregation, York met his future wife, Gracie Williams, through the church while also teaching Sunday school and singing in the choir.
How many Germans did York kill?
During the course of the fight, six German soldiers emerged from their trenches and charged at York with bayonets. Running low on rifle ammunition, he drew his pistol and dropped all six before they reached him. Switching back to his rifle, he returned to sniping at the German machine guns. Believing he had killed around 20 Germans, and not wishing to kill more than necessary, he began calling for them to surrender.
