Alvin York
1887 – 1964

Alvin York

United States Army Medal of Honor recipient (1887-1964)

diaristsoldiernational heromilitary personnel
Born
1887-12-13, Fentress County
Died
1964-09-02
Birthplace state
Tennessee

Biography

Alvin Cullum York, also known by his rank as Sergeant York, was an American soldier who 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, in which he intended 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.

Occupation

Alvin York is recorded as a diarist, a soldier, a national hero and a military personnel, born in Tennessee (1887–1964).

Connections to Tennessee

Alvin York was born in Fentress County, Tennessee in 1887. Explore other notable figures from Tennessee, historic sites connected to this era, and the full colonial and statehood history of the state using the links below.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
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Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
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Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
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Frequently asked about Alvin York

Who was Alvin York?
Alvin York was United States Army Medal of Honor recipient (1887-1964), born in Tennessee (1887 – 1964).
When and where was Alvin York born?
Alvin York was born on 1887-12-13 in Fentress County.
When did Alvin York die?
Alvin died on 1964-09-02.
What was Alvin York known for?
Alvin York is recorded as a diarist, a soldier, a national hero and a military personnel.
Source

Biographical content adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Source: Wikipedia.

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