October 8: Alvin C. York Leads Capture of 132 Germans (1918)
Prayer Idea
Pray for people who are currently facing the trauma of conflict.
History Note
Alvin Cullom York was born in Pall Mall, Tennessee, in 1887 to William and Mary York. Alvin was the third of eleven children. He spent little time in school. While working various odd jobs, he became an expert marksman hunting for food for his family.
After leading a wild life as a young man, York attended a revival meeting in 1914. He joined the Church of Christ in Christian Union and made sincere changes to reflect his newfound faith. He became known as the Singing Elder.
After the United States entered World War I, York was drafted. Because his church taught members not to engage in violence, he applied for an exemption as a conscientious objector. However, his request was denied.
York’s battalion commander, Major Edward Buxton, engaged him in conversation about what the Bible said about war. While York was on leave in Tennessee, he continued to struggle and pray about what to do. He finally decided that he would participate in the war and went to France.
On October 8, 1918, Corporal York’s unit of 18 men was ordered to take control of a railroad line in the Argonne region. They misread their map and wound up behind the enemy line. A German officer surrendered even though he had the Americans outnumbered.
German machine gunners opened fire on their own men who had surrendered, killing and wounding nine Americans in the process. York was ordered to take out the machine guns, which he did. York and the remaining Americans captured 132 Germans.
York never claimed to have acted alone, but only two other soldiers were ever decorated for their part in the capture. In addition to being promoted to sergeant, York received the Medal of Honor and was celebrated as a hero when he returned to America.
After marrying his sweetheart, Gracie, York raised money for and founded the York Institute in Jamestown. He wanted to give young people in his region access to better education. He also founded a Bible school.
York never tried to make money off of his heroism. For years he resisted Hollywood offers to make a movie based on his life. However, as World War II began, York finally agreed to a movie deal. Sgt. York, the 1941 movie starring Gary Cooper, does a good job of telling his story.
Alvin York died in 1964. In the 1928 book Sergeant York: His Own Life Story and War Diary, author Tom Skeyhill quoted Alvin York reflecting on his life:
I am blessed with a whole heap of most loyal and powerful friends all over America; and I still have and always will have my faith in God. I know He will not fail to help me.
This U.S. Army photo shows Alvin York at the hill in France where the battle of October 8 took place.
Learn More
For many years, York’s son Andrew Jackson York (1930-2022) welcomed visitors to the Sgt. Alvin C. York Historic Park in Pall Mall. This video has footage from the park and an interview with Andrew.
Please note: It includes battle footage from the Sgt. York movie and discussion of killed soldiers.
Find more resources at Homeschool History.
