Sam K. Cowan

Sergeant York and His People (Dodo Press) Sam K. Cowan

Alvin Cullum York (1887-1964) was an American soldier, famous as a World War I hero. He was inducted into the United States Army and served in Company G, 328th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Infantry Division at Camp Gordon, Georgia. During a mission to secure the German Decauville rail-line on October 8, 1918, York's actions earned him the Medal of Honor. He led an attack on a German machine gun nest, taking 32 machine guns, killing 28 German soldiers and capturing 132 others during the U. S.-led Meuse-Argonne Offensive in France. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism, but this was upgraded to the Medal of Honor, which was presented to York by the commanding general of the American Expeditionary Force, General John J. Pershing. The French Republic awarded him the Croix de Guerre and Legion of Honor. Italy and Montenegro awarded him the Croce di Guerra and War Medal, respectively.