By Michelle Adserias
Alvin York’s heroism on the battlefield in World War I has been recognized and celebrated worldwide. In fact, a 1941 movie, “Sergeant York,” honored his life and battlefield accomplishments – the highest grossing film that year with an award-winning performance by Gary Cooper.
To say Sergeant York was a reluctant soldier would be an understatement. As a true believer in Christ, his convictions about killing others, he considered declaring himself as a conscientious objector. As a true patriot, he wanted to defend his country. In the end, he was convinced the Bible supports participation in a war if the cause is just.
Alvin York was not always a fervent Christ-follower. He was born in 1887 in rural Tennessee where his father worked as a farmed and blacksmith to support his 11 children. Because they were busy hunting, fishing and hiring out to help with expenses, they had limited education opportunities. Things were even tougher when their father passed away, so Alvin took up his father’s tools and continued the blacksmith trade to help support his younger siblings.
Although he had always attended church, Alvin was a heavy drinker and prone to getting into fist fights. But in 1914, he committed his life to Christ at the Church of Christ in Christian Union. When he enlisted in the 82nd Division in 1918 as an infantry pirate, he took his faith with him. Though his service was not lengthy, it was truly outstanding.
In October 1918, Private York, acting as a corporal, was assigned a group of 17 soldiers to infiltrate enemy lines and stop the machine gun fire. York’s best friend was killed in the assault but York, an expert marksman, almost single-handedly killed 25 Germans, captured 35 machine guns, and finally convincing 132 German soldiers to surrender. York didn’t fully understand the importance of his actions, but his commanding officers did. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions and was promoted to sergeant. Even then, Sergeant York had misgivings about whether God was pleased with his actions.
Though York’s actions made him a national and international celebrity, his family knew nothing of his actions until his story was told in The Saturday Evening Post. Within a week of returning home, he married his sweetheart, Gracie Loretta Willims. In the following years, he turned down thousands of dollars in endorsements, including a Vaudeville appearance worth $30,000 (about $500,000 in today’s economy), fearing they would compromise his deeply-rooted convictions.
When approached about the film, York initially resisted the idea. He finally agreed on the condition all the proceeds would be used to support his community, an effort which Gary Cooper willingly helped with. York bought a grist mill in his hometown and established a Bible institute where young people could be educated in the practical aspects of living a God-pleasing life.
When Alvin York died in 1964, at age 76, he left behind his wife and 10 children, all named after prominent figures in American history. He also left behind the legacy of a life lived for Christ, without compromise.
“The fear of God makes a hero; the fear of man makes a coward.”
-Alvin York
