101 Years ago in the Argonne Forest

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  • Threeband

    The M1 Does My Talking
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 30, 2006
    25,177
    Carroll County
    The draft of 1917, a man from Tennessee
    Overseas to the trenches he went, from the land of the free
    Into war he brought two things along, a rifle and his faith
    Joined the ranks as a private, assigned to 338th

    There on that day, Alvin York
    Entered the fray
    Saving the day
    82nd all the way

    Into the fires of Hell, the Argonne, a hero to be
    Entered the war from over the sea
    Intervene, 1918, all the way from Tennessee
    Hill 223

    When his faith has been put to the test, the call to arms he heeds
    On the 8th of October he went, made a sergeant for his deeds
    Fearless, leading the raid of the war, machine gun on the hill
    Charge the enemy taking the prisoners, by power of his will

    There on that day, Sergeant York
    Entered the fray
    Saving the day
    82nd all the way

    Into the fires of Hell, the Argonne, a hero to be
    Entered the war from over the sea
    Intervene, 1918, all the way from Tennessee
    Hill 223

    What Sergeant York achieved that day
    Would echo to the U.S.A
    It's 82nd all the way
    Death from above, what they now say

    What Sergeant York achieved that day
    Echoes from France to the U.S.A
    It's 82nd all the way
    Death from above, what they now say

    Into the fires of Hell, the Argonne, a hero to be
    Entered the war from over the sea
    Intervene, 1918, all the way from Tennessee
    Hill 223...

    Hell, the Argonne, a hero to be
    Entered the war from over the sea
    Intervene, 1918, all the way from Tennessee
    Hill 223


     

    Alan3413

    Ultimate Member
    Mar 4, 2013
    16,858
    During the assault, six German soldiers in a trench near York charged him with fixed bayonets. York had fired all the rounds in his M1917 Enfield rifle, but drew his M1911 semi-automatic pistol and shot all six soldiers before they could reach him.

    Imperial German Army First Lieutenant Paul Jürgen Vollmer, commanding the 120th Reserve Infantry Regiment's 1st battalion, emptied his pistol trying to kill York while he was contending with the machine guns. Failing to injure York, and seeing his mounting losses, he offered in English to surrender the unit to York, who accepted.

    That's really badass shooting. Also, proof positive .45ACP trumps 9mm.
     

    JohnnyE

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Jan 18, 2013
    9,396
    MoCo
    In the late 1960's and early 1970's, my public elementary school showed the movie "Sergeant York" to all students in the auditorium. I wonder if that happens today in any public elementary school?
     

    K31

    "Part of that Ultra MAGA Crowd"
    MDS Supporter
    Jan 15, 2006
    35,600
    AA county
    In the late 1960's and early 1970's, my public elementary school showed the movie "Sergeant York" to all students in the auditorium. I wonder if that happens today in any public elementary school?

    Pictures of guns in school? Are you crazy?

    Not to mention the message sent by having the hero be a Christian white male!
     

    JohnnyE

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Jan 18, 2013
    9,396
    MoCo
    Pictures of guns in school? Are you crazy?

    Not to mention the message sent by having the hero be a Christian white male!

    So I guess my 7th grade report to the class on the weapons of the Vietnam war wouldn't be well receive today, either. BTW, teacher was a vet...I got a good grade. :D
     

    K31

    "Part of that Ultra MAGA Crowd"
    MDS Supporter
    Jan 15, 2006
    35,600
    AA county
    So I guess my 7th grade report to the class on the weapons of the Vietnam war wouldn't be well receive today, either. BTW, teacher was a vet...I got a good grade. :D

    Just as long as you didn't chew your toaster pastry into a gun shape.
     

    mawkie

    C&R Whisperer
    Sep 28, 2007
    4,332
    Catonsville
    Yup, look at all the kerfuffle over the colors red, white and blue at an AA school pride day recently. Alvin York is turning in his grave. BTW, for the Cruffers among us you want to check out the 1903 Springfields being used in the target range portion of the Gary Cooper movie Sgt York. I believe one of them (think it's the one that "Pusher" is wielding) is an early rod bayonet version which uses a rear sight similar to the Krag 1902.
     

    marko

    Banned
    BANNED!!!
    Jan 28, 2009
    7,048
    John Basilone and Waverly Wray come to mind when I see this. GOOD POST, op!
     

    Art3

    Eqinsu Ocha
    MDS Supporter
    Jan 30, 2015
    13,251
    Harford County
    Is there a definitive answer as to whether he was using a 1917 or 1903? I've heard that, statistically, the 17 is much more likely. However, I've also heard the argument that he didn't like the peep sights of the 17, and sought out an 03. Is there any way to know for sure?

    (does it really matter? Well...maybe to gun geeks :o)
     

    Threeband

    The M1 Does My Talking
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 30, 2006
    25,177
    Carroll County
    I know he mentioned that he was issued an "English" rifle, and that he didn't like it ( possibly because it's a big clumsy ox of a rifle designed by a committee). I'm sure no one ever found confirmation that he was able to swap for a Springfield, but it seems plausible he would if he could.

    We know he did use a 1911 pistol, but the Hollywood movie substituted a Luger because the 1911 wouldn't function with blanks.
     

    TheOriginalMexicanBob

    Ultimate Member
    Jul 2, 2017
    31,902
    Sun City West, AZ
    Depending on who you ask Alvin York carried a 1903 until he got to France when it was replaced by a 1917. Some reports say he liked the '03 better and came up with one. Also...the weapons he used during his MOH action are held at the Middle Tennessee State University...and they're a 1917 rifle and his 1911 pistol.
     

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