Sgt. York His Life, Legend, and Legacy

War hero, Medal of Honor recipient, and subject of an Oscar-winning film, Sgt. Alvin York was the most famous soldier of his generation. But behind the honors and publicity was an uncompromising Christian patriot who suffered when his ideals were challenged by shifting views of faith, patriotism, and moral relativism. Untouched by German gunfire, York faced destruction from disease, disrespect, and the IRS. Sgt. York: His Life, Legend, and Legacy reveals the whole story of this great American figure based on original battlefield eyewitness reports, Hollywood archives, and interviews with York’s family and friends. This new edition includes a message from York’s ninety-year-old son, Andrew Jackson York.

#&39;#&39;The greatest civilian soldier of the War.#&39;#&39; —General John J. Pershing , describing Sergeant Alvin York, who later received the Congressional Medal of Honor, Prauthoy, France, 1919

 

"What you did was the greatest thing accomplished by any private soldier of all the armies of Europe.#&39;#&39; —Marshal Ferdinand Foch, Supreme Allied Commander in World War I, upon awarding Sergeant York the Croix de Guerre with Palm, St. Sliva, France, 1919

 

#&39;#&39;When I die, I had rather it be said about me that I gave my life toward aiding my fellow man than for it to be said that I became a millionaire through capitalizing on my fame as a fighter. I do not care to be remembered as a warrior; but as one who helped others to Christ.#&39;#&39; —Sergeant York, speaking before the First Presbyterian Men#&39;s Club, Nashville, Tennessee, 1926

 

"This exemplar of the American fighting man died in 1964, all but forgotten.#&39;#&39; —Life magazine, describing Sergeant York in a special issue on American heroes, 1997

Born in rural Kentucky, John Perry grew up in Houston, TX. Following two years in the US Army infantry, he attended University College, Oxford, and graduated cum laude from Vanderbilt University. He was an advertising copywriter and broadcast producer before beginning his career as a writer. Perry is the author of nine books. He lives in Nashville.