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What rifle did Sgt York use in ww1?
Throughout the film, York is seen using the M1903 Springfield, which was the standard issue rifle of US forces during WWI. However, in reality, York was issued a 1917 Enfield rifle. New 1903 Springfield Rifle covered in Cosmoline being issued.
What weapons did Sgt York use?
Alvin York used a M1911 . 45 ACP sidearm, as depicted here, to knock off the Germans charging him. York agreed, after which Lt. Vollmer shouted a command, and the German soldiers in the trench dropped their weapons, put their hands up and surrendered.
Who was the most decorated American 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 did Alvin York capture the Germans?
Today I found out that in WWI Alvin York almost single handedly captured 132 German soldiers using nothing but a rifle and a pistol, while the German soldiers having among them 32 machine guns along with rifles and pistols and the advantage of being above him in the biggest of the forays.
How tall was the real Sergeant York?
six feet tallHe didn't wear store-bought shoes until he was sixteen, and then only on Sundays. By then he was six feet tall and still growing. From the time he was six, Alvin worked the fields with his father; later he learned to operate the smithy. William York had one great failing—he often neglected his work to go hunting.
Who was the most decorated soldier in World war 2?
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
Why did ww1 soldiers throw away their medals?
"Apparently it was quite common for soldiers to throw their medals away at the time because they were so sickened by what they saw," he said. "I felt quite emotional giving the medal to the family as I had become rather attached to it, but I am over the moon that it's now back with them."
Who was the bravest man in ww1?
Henry Johnson (World War I soldier)Henry JohnsonRankSergeantUnit369th Infantry Regiment, New York National GuardBattles/warsWorld War I Meuse-Argonne OffensiveAwardsMedal of Honor Purple Heart (2) Croix de Guerre (France)9 more rows
Who were the bravest soldiers in ww1?
It stated that George V had awarded Lance Corporal Albert Jacka the Victoria Cross, Britain and the Commonwealth's most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy. “For most conspicuous bravery on the night of the 19th–20th May, 1915 at 'Courtney's Post', Gallipoli Peninsula,” said the citation.
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 soldiers did Sergeant York capture?
The story of Sgt. Alvin York is a celebrated chapter in Army history. Though he tried to avoid war for religious reasons, York became one of the most notable heroes of World War I for his actions in October 1918. He helped capture over 100 Germans in a mission that could have ended in total failure.
How many prisoners did Sergeant 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.
Who was the greatest soldier in World War 1?
1. Alvin York. Sergeant Alvin York was once described as World War I's “greatest civilian soldier,” yet he began the conflict as a conscientious objector. A deeply devout man from the small mountain town of Pall Mall, Tennessee, York initially resisted serving on the grounds that violence was against his religion.
Who is the most decorated veteran of all time?
Top 50 Most Decorated Vets1. GA Douglas MacArthur, USA1. GA Douglas MacArthur, USA9. Maj Thomas B. McGuire, Jr., USAAF9. SgtMaj Daniel J. Daly, USMC10. VADM James B. Stockdale, USN10. Col James H. Kasler, USAF11. Maj Gen Smedley D. Butler, USMC11. BG Charles E. Getz, USA46 more rows
Who was the most decorated general of all time?
Butler was, at the time of his death, the most decorated Marine in U.S. history. By the end of his career, Butler had received 16 medals, five for heroism....Smedley ButlerService/branchMarine CorpsYears of service1898–1931RankMajor general19 more rows
Who is the most decorated soldier alive today?
Jorge Otero Barreto - Wikipedia.
When did Alvin York join the draft?
On June 5, 1917, at the age of 29, Alvin York registered for the draft as all men between 21 and 30 years of age were required to do as a result of the Selective Service Act. When he registered for the draft, he answered the question "Do you claim exemption from draft (specify grounds)?" by writing "Yes. Don't Want To Fight." When his initial claim for conscientious objector status was denied, he appealed. During World War I, conscientious objector status did not exempt one from military duty. Such individuals could still be drafted and were given assignments that did not conflict with their anti-war principles. In November 1917, while York's application was considered, he was drafted and began his army service at Camp Gordon, Georgia.
How many medals did York receive?
In addition to his French medals, Italy awarded York the Croce al Merito di Guerra and Montenegro decorated him with its War Medal. He eventually received nearly 50 decorations. York's Medal of Honor citation reads:
Where was Alvin York born?
Early life and ancestry. Alvin Cullum York was born in a two-room log cabin in Fentress County, Tennessee. He was the third child born to William Uriah York and Mary Elizabeth (Brooks) York.
What was York's role in the Decauville Railroad?
York's actions silenced the German machine guns and were responsible for enabling the 328th Infantry to renew its attack to capture the Decauville Railroad.
Why did William York's sons leave school?
The York sons attended school for only nine months and withdrew from education because William York needed them to help work on the family farm, hunt, and fish to help feed the family. When William York died in November 1911, his son Alvin helped his mother raise his younger siblings.
What was the most popular movie of 1941?
A 1941 film about his World War I exploits, Sergeant York, was that year's highest-grossing film; Gary Cooper won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of York, and the film was credited with enhancing American morale as the US mobilized for action in World War II.
How many Americans were killed by German small arms fire in 1918?
After the American patrol had captured a large group of enemy soldiers, German small arms fire killed six Americans and wounded three.
What type of rifle did Gary Cooper use in the movie Sergeant York?
In the film “Sergeant York,” Cooper used an M1903 Springfield, but—because period .45 blanks were just not reliable—a Luger was substituted for his M1911. In 1941, a movie, “Sergeant York,” starring Gary Cooper, was made about York’s life.
What was Alvin's gun?
His usual hunting gun was his father’s flintlock Kentucky rifle— an arm that was common in the mountain country. Usual game included red and gray foxes, squirrels, wild hogs, raccoons, deer and bear. Even in his early years he was reckoned to be something of a crack shot and was more often than not the winner in local beef and turkey shoots.
What happened to Alvin in 1914?
It is unlikely that Alvin had ever heard of the Bosnian city of Sarajevo, but on June 28, 1914, the assassination of an Austrian archduke by a member of an extremist separatist organization would change his life in ways that he could not possibly comprehend. Soon Europe was embroiled in an all-out conflagration, and three years later President Woodrow Wilson declared war on Germany. The United States had entered the Great War.
How many Germans did Corporal York capture?
Practically unassisted, he captured 132 Germans (three of whom were officers), took about 35 machine guns and killed no less than 25 of the enemy, later to be found by others on the scene of York’s extraordinary exploit.
Where was Alvin York born?
Born in Pall Mall, Fentress County , Tenn., in 1887, Alvin C. York was the third child in a family of 11 children. His grandfather was one of the original long hunters of Tennessee and his father was a blacksmith who carried on the family hunting tradition—sometimes to the detriment of his business.
What did York's mother tell him about his misadventures?
She would constantly remind him how his father never drank, gambled or swore and told him that she was seriously concerned for his immortal soul should he be killed on one of his jaunts.
How many prisoners did York have?
York told the officer to order these men to surrender or he would blow his head off. By the time they reached battalion headquarters, York’s tiny unit had rounded up 132 prisoners. Later, when he reported to the brigade commander, Gen. Julian R. Lindsay, the general commented, “Well, York, I hear you captured the whole damned German army,” York corrected him, “Nossir, I only have 132.” When he was asked how he accomplished the deed, he replied with characteristic understatement, “I surrounded ’em.”
What rifle did York use?
men like York are few and far between. He would have gotten the job done with a .22 rifle and half a bayonet if need be.
How many rounds does the Brit Enfield hold?
This probably answers in part his ability to fire rapidly, as the Brit Enfield held its standard 10 rounds, while the Springfield had the 5. Sighted properly, the Enfield is plenty accurate for battlefield conditions. Wonder what the comments about the Greeks and Italians were about? Sounds like they were also having to reaquaint themselves with reissued firearms.
What did the British call their P17s?
Flipped through Canfields "US Infantry Weapons of WWI" book at a gun show today, he says many doughboys called their p17s "British Enfields" which causes alot of confusion in diaries and letters from the day.
What were the 17s called?
Plus, nobody back then referred to the 17s as P17s, they were "Enfields, " "British Enfields, " or "M1917s."
Did Kdub ever shoot a rifle?
He was in with a bunch of "city boys"....mostly Greek and Italian...who'd never fired a rifle before, and consequently, not very good shots.
Did the German major order his men to surrender?
One thing for sure almost half of the enemy he killed that day was with a 1911. It was also the 1911 that "persuaded" the German major to order his men to surrender. The real story is not so much about the rifle as about the 45.
Did the Doughboys carry the Springfield?
VERY few Doughboys carried the Springfield, only the Marines carried it in WWI as a rule, the soldiers all carried the P17 for the most part.
What pistol did Alvin York use?
However, even though York was an uncanny marksman with a rifle, it was his use of a M1911 pistol that allowed him to survive a bayonet charge counterattack by a squad of Germans. Sgt. Alvin York on his return voyage to the United States, wearing the Medal of Honor and the French Croix de Guerre. Image: National Archive.
What caliber was York's grenade?
With his remaining .30 caliber ammunition, York continued to snipe at German gunners. This proved to be too much for the remaining German officer, who signaled his intention to surrender. Surprisingly, nearly fifty troops came with him. One of the surrendering Germans took a chance and tossed a grenade. It went off and wounded a couple of other Germans, but York was unharmed. Even so, he shot the man that threw the grenade to maintain order among the rest.
What pistols did the Mastriano expedition find?
The Mastriano expedition found 46 .30-06 casings and 23 .45 ACP casings — all of which were linked to York’s firearms. Springfield Armory offers a modern pistol inspired by the 1911 and later 1911A1 military pistols.
What rifle did the Kaiser use?
He found the U.S. Model 1903 Springfield rifle (.30-06) to be quite to his liking.
How much is a 1911 ACP?
Priced at a mere $549 and sporting features inspired by the original 1911 and the later 1911A1 upgrade, this variant of the Mil-Spec .45 ACP gives you a rock-solid 1911 for a great price.
What did Alvin do in his early 20s?
During his early 20s, Alvin became a heavy drinker, gambler, and a bit of a brawler. In a dramatic transformation, he abandoned his wild ways and became a devout Christian, a regular church goer and even a Sunday school teacher. After his father died, he took over the family blacksmith business.
How many Germans did Corporal York capture?
Practically unassisted, he captured 132 Germans, took about 35 machine guns and killed no less than 25 of the enemy, later to be found by others on the scene of York’s extraordinary exploit. The story has been carefully checked in every possible detail from Headquarters of this Division and is entirely substantiated. Although Corporal York’s statement tends to underestimate the desperate odds which he overcame, it has been decided to forward to higher authority the account given in his own words. The success of this assault has a far-reaching effect in relieving the enemy pressure against American forces in the Argonne Forest.”
What pistol did Alvin York use in the movie?
Originally, Sgt. Alvin York used his M1911 sidearm while taking cover in a crater, gunned down six Germans with his M1911 pistol, firing back to front like he hunted turkeys but M1911 Pistols were difficult to covert to blanks at the time of filming so they simply had Cooper liberate Luger P08 off of a dead German soldier. Cooper having met York initially refused to shoot the scene with the Luger, but was told because of timing they needed to shoot the scene with the weapon, and was promised they'd re-shoot the scene with the M1911, but this never happened.
What rifle did the US use in 1903?
US soldiers charging from the trenches with 1903 Springfield Rifle.
What mount does York use in the Maxim?
Rear view of the Maxim and it's 'sledge' mount. Note that even though York (on the left) has clear access to the fully loaded MG he still uses his rifle to attack the Germans.
What year was the Springfield rifle covered in Cosmoline?
New 1903 Springfield Rifle covered in Cosmoline being issued.
What rifle was mocked up to resemble a Kentucky rifle?
1873 Springfield Trapdoor Rifle mocked up to resemble a Kentucky Rifle is also seen.
Where is York from in the movie "The Bull by the Horns"?
York is a simple backwoods farm boy from Pall Mall, Tennessee, when he is thrown into the First World War. Taking the bull by the horns, he leads his men during a battle in which he captures 132 German soldiers during the Battle of Argonne and his actions would lead him to become a recipient of the Medal of Honor.
Who was the actor in the 1941 movie Sergeant York?
Ward Bond. Sergeant Early. Joe Sawyer. Sgt. Harry Parsons. Pat Flaherty. Sergeant York is a 1941 biographical war movie directed by Howard Hawks that chronicles the life of Sergeant Alvin York from 1915 to 1919.
Overview
Legacy
Beginning soon after York's return to the United States at the end of the war, doubt and controversy periodically surfaced over whether the events detailed in his Medal of Honor documents had taken place as officially described, and whether other soldiers in York's unit should also have been recognized for their heroism. Otis Merrithew (William Cutting) and Bernard Early were among thos…
Early life
Alvin Cullum York was born in a two-room log cabin in Fentress County, Tennessee. He was the third child born to William Uriah York and Mary Elizabeth (Brooks) York. William Uriah York was born in Jamestown, Tennessee, to Uriah York and Eliza Jane Livingston, who had moved to Tennessee from Buncombe County, North Carolina. Mary Elizabeth York was born in Pall Mall to William Brooks, who took his mother's maiden name as an alias of William H. Harrington after d…
World War I
Despite his history of drinking and fighting, York attended church regularly and often led the hymn singing. A revival meeting at the end of 1914 led him to a conversion experience on January 1, 1915. His congregation was the Church of Christ in Christian Union, a Protestant denomination that shunned secular politics and disputes between Christian denominations. This church had no specific d…
Homecoming and fame
Before leaving France, York was his division's noncommissioned officer delegate to the caucus which created the American Legion, of which York was a charter member.
York's heroism went unnoticed in the United States press, even in Tennessee, until the publication of the April 26, 1919, issue of the Saturday Evening Post, w…
After the war
In the 1920s, York formed the Alvin C. York Foundation with the mission of increasing educational opportunities in his region of Tennessee. Board members included the area's congressman, Cordell Hull, who later became Secretary of State under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Secretary of the Treasury William G. McAdoo, who was President Wilson's son-in-law, and Ten…
Personal life and death
York and his wife Gracie had ten children, seven sons and three daughters, most named after American historical figures: Infant son (1920, died at 4 days), Alvin Cullum, Jr. (1921–1983), George Edward Buxton (1923–2018), Woodrow Wilson (1925–1998), Samuel Huston (1928–1929), Andrew Jackson (born 1930), Betsy Ross (born 1933), Mary Alice (1935–1991), and Infant daughter (1940, di…
See also
• List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War I
• List of members of the American Legion
• List of people from Tennessee
• List of people on stamps of the United States