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'''Alvin Cullen York''' (December 13, 1887 – September 2, 1964) was awarded the United States [[Medal of Honor]] for his heroic actions in Argonne, [[France]] during [[World War I]]. Sergeant York also received the Distinguished Service Cross, the World War I Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the French Légion d'honneur, the French Croix de guerre with Palm, the Italian Croce di Guerra, and the Montenegrin War Medal, making him one of the most decorated American soldiers of WWI.

'''Alvin Cullen York''' (December 13, 1887 – September 2, 1964) was awarded the United States [[Medal of Honor]] for his heroic actions in Argonne, [[France]] during [[World War I]]. Sergeant York also received the Distinguished Service Cross, the World War I Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the French Légion d'honneur, the French Croix de guerre with Palm, the Italian Croce di Guerra, and the Montenegrin War Medal, making him one of the most decorated American soldiers of WWI.

==Early Life==

==Early life==

York was born in Pall Mall, [[Tennessee]] on December 13, 1887, the third of eleven children born to William and Mary Brooks York.  He had minimal schooling as a child, totaling about 9 months of education.  This was because the back-woods region of Tennessee saw little use for a good education.  Many viewed hunting as a more desirable trait than a strong mind.  So through many hunting trips with his father, William York, Alvin grew to be an excellent marksman, gaining a legendary reputation throughout Fentress County, Tennessee.  Soon, he became a heavy drinker and gambler, getting himself into all sorts of trouble.  The death of his father could have contributed to his harmful lifestyle.  But that all changed in 1914, when he converted to [[Christianity]].  Many say the change was instantaneous.  It was due in part to his mother’s constant requests asking him to stop drinking and gambling.  The conversion could also be attributed to the death of his friend after he had been killed in a bar fight.  He started going to the Church of Christ in Christian Union.   

York was born in Pall Mall, [[Tennessee]] on December 13, 1887, the third of eleven children born to William and Mary Brooks York.  He had minimal schooling as a child, totaling about 9 months of education.  This was because the back-woods region of Tennessee saw little use for a good education.  Many viewed hunting as a more desirable trait than a strong mind.  So through many hunting trips with his father, William York, Alvin grew to be an excellent marksman, gaining a legendary reputation throughout Fentress County, Tennessee.  Soon, he became a heavy drinker and gambler, getting himself into all sorts of trouble.  The death of his father could have contributed to his harmful lifestyle.  But that all changed in 1914, when he converted to [[Christianity]].  Many say the change was instantaneous.  It was due in part to his mother’s constant requests asking him to stop drinking and gambling.  The conversion could also be attributed to the death of his friend after he had been killed in a bar fight.  He started going to the Church of Christ in Christian Union.   

When the war was won and York returned home, he came back with a new respect for education.  He used the money he received as gifts to build the York Institute.  While trying to promote education, he drove himself into deep debt.  And with his health failing, it looked as if he would not be able to pay off such amounts of money.  When the IRS hassled him for the money, President [[John F. Kennedy]] reprimanded them, saying their “actions in the case were a national disgrace”.  Congressman Joe L. Evins started the York relief fund to help York pay off his debts.  They raised $100,000 and gave his family the remainder of $30,000 to keep them from ever getting in such debt again.  Alvin C. York died at the age of 76 on September 2, 1964.

When the war was won and York returned home, he came back with a new respect for education.  He used the money he received as gifts to build the York Institute.  While trying to promote education, he drove himself into deep debt.  And with his health failing, it looked as if he would not be able to pay off such amounts of money.  When the IRS hassled him for the money, President [[John F. Kennedy]] reprimanded them, saying their “actions in the case were a national disgrace”.  Congressman Joe L. Evins started the York relief fund to help York pay off his debts.  They raised $100,000 and gave his family the remainder of $30,000 to keep them from ever getting in such debt again.  Alvin C. York died at the age of 76 on September 2, 1964.

{{DEFAULTSORT: York, Alvin C.}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:York, Alvin C.}}

[[Category:Tennessee]]

[[Category:Tennessee]]

[[Category:Military Personnel]]

[[Category:Military Personnel]]

[[category:World War I]]

[[Category:World War I]]

[[Category:Medal of Honor recipients]]

[[Category:Medal of Honor recipients]]