Tennessee National Guard Commemorates 100th Anniversary of Sergeant York Medal of Honor

Tuesday, October 09, 2018 | 07:51am

CHATEL-CHEHERY, France – Eighteen members of the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard traveled to France early this week to take part in the 100th Anniversary Celebration of Tennessean Sergeant Alvin C. York’s heroic actions during World War I that merited the award of the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Major General Max Haston, Tennessee’s Adjutant General, and the Tennessee Guard men and women will join with members of York’s family to lay a wreath at the York Memorial near Chatel-Chéhéry.

On October 8th, 1918 York’s platoon had suffered heavy casualties with 3 of his noncommissioned officers either killed or wounded.  Cpl. York assumed command and fearlessly leading 7 men, charged a machinegun nest which was pouring deadly and incessant fire upon his platoon. In this heroic feat the machinegun nest was taken, together with 4 officers, 128 men and several guns.

York's story starts and ends deep in the hills of the Cumberland Plateau, where his family farm still exists and his grave draws the interest of history buffs. It's not far from the two-lane highway that leads to the state park that carries his name.

“Throughout his life, York was a man devoted to God, his country, his family, and making the world a better place for everyone,” said Maj. Gen. Haston.  “Monuments stand throughout France and the United States to celebrate his ideals and the sacrifices he made to his personal safety and comfort to help others. Even after his death in 1964, his memory and example continue to influence and improve the world he protected. The York Institute still teaches students in Jamestown, the Alvin C. York VA Medical Center in Murfreesboro cares for thousands of veterans daily, and thousands of visitors flock to the Sergeant Alvin C. York State Historic Park to learn about a man who gave so much for his country by following what he believed.  In addition, the Tennessee National Guard Armory in Jamestown is named for Sergeant York.”

This year, York’s story will be told often as we celebrate the World War I Centennial and the anniversary of the battle that earned Sgt. Alvin York his fame.

Additional footage is available at:  https://www.dvidshub.net/video/631596/100th-anniversary-celebration-ceremony-sgt-alvin-c-york

PHOTO CAPTION:  Maj. Gen. Max Haston, Tennessee’s Adjutant General, delivers remarks at the 100th Anniversary Celebration of Tennessean Sergeant Alvin C. York’s heroic actions during World War I that merited the award of the Congressional Medal of Honor near Chatel-Chéhéry, France October 7, 2018.

PHOTO CAPTION:  Maj. Gen. Max Haston, Tennessee’s Adjutant General, delivers remarks at the 100th Anniversary Celebration of Tennessean Sergeant Alvin C. York’s heroic actions during World War I that merited the award of the Congressional Medal of Honor near Chatel-Chéhéry, France October 7, 2018.

PHOTO CAPTION:  Soldiers of the Tennessee National Guard render salutes during a wreath laying at the 100th Anniversary Celebration of Tennessean Sergeant Alvin C. York’s heroic actions during World War I that merited the award of the Congressional Medal of Honor near Chatel-Chéhéry, France October 7, 2018.

PHOTO CAPTION:  Soldiers of the Tennessee National Guard render salutes during a wreath laying at the 100th Anniversary Celebration of Tennessean Sergeant Alvin C. York’s heroic actions during World War I that merited the award of the Congressional Medal of Honor near Chatel-Chéhéry, France October 7, 2018.