There have been some comments made regards Yorks Medal of Honor action which I feel very strongly need clarification. There have been comments made early in this post stating the York story is "legend" and "not all it appears" and that others in the story are "written out". There are also comments made regards details of the action that are incorrect. To any desiring details on that action, or a good read on York prior and after his military service, I suggest reading "Alvin York, ....a biography on the hero of the Argonne" written by Douglas V. MASTRIANO. published in 2014. I got my copy that same year when I visited the Alvin York state park in Pall Mall TN. That site is dedicated to York and his post war farm and nearby gravesite in the local cemetery.
I dispute the use of the word "legend" in referring to the York action. This seems to imply (to me anyhow) that in some manner York's actions are suspect or fabricated. At least one author has included the word "legend" in their title concerning York, and the New York Times has claimed him "legendary" in a review of another biography, but there are simply better words and phrasing available. Sasquatch and Robin Hood are legends. Alvin York and his combat record were real.
In repelling the bayonet attack, York probably did not kill 6 German soldiers with 7 shots. After enfilading the machine gun trench on the hillside, York descended from the slope and noted the advance of one Lt. ENDRISS (not a Sargent) and perhaps as many as 12 soldiers closing on him. York assumed a position adjacent a Pvt BARDSLEY and engaged this assault. BEARDSLEY also was armed with a .45 pistol, and with BOTH men firing, dropped 7 attackers, including ENDRISS mere feet away. The remaining German soldiers retreated back to their trench. It is possible that not all the bayonet men were even aware of York/Beardsley's position as they advanced. MASTRIANO states that he believes that between York and Beardsley, 24 .45 acp rounds were fired by the pair. Each GI likely reloaded their pistol at least once.
MASTIANO has conducted extensive battlefield archeology and forensic analysis of spent cases and artifacts from what he believes is the actual location of the fight. After reading and noting the totality of the archeologic finds and analysis, I'm inclined to believe him. The clincher is that GERMAN insignia and ID tags recovered match the units that YORK and his men captured that day. The clustered .45acp cases are from two different pistols. Thirty-six spent '06 cases are from the same P17 rifle, from a position enfilading a section of German MG positions were found nearby. The complete picture painted by the forensics is hard to deny.
Beardsley never sought recognition for his action with York. Two others Sgts. EARLY and CUTTING did and were medaled, but not with the MOH. Interestingly, CUTTING was not named Cutting at all, he had enlisted under a false name and his credibility is thus at least questionable. Most all of the rest of the unit were shot up pretty badly.
Final comments: I wanted YORK to be armed with a Springfield. Hollywood portrayed him that way, and I like the rifle. The "Rifleman" magazine carried a good article supporting the claim that he did, despite the fact his unit was issued Enfields. York's family claimed he used a Springfield or thought he did anyhow, because Alving did not like the peep sight on the Enfield and the blade and bead on the '03 was similar to rifles he used at home. If MASTIRANO is right, it was an ENFIELD.
Hollywood had York using a Luger for heaven's sake, I've read because they could not find a blank firing 1911. The entire "gobble gobble "scene and " shooting turkeys front to rear back home" I think is indeed so much hoopla. I've shot a lot of turkeys, and occasionally if more than one is present at the shot, they get a bit flustered. But turkeys see EVERYTHING and do not linger long when under fire. It was a good scene in the movies and went with Coopers hayseed character. York's war diary is coarse and hard to read and must be taken with a grain of salt I believe. I suspect he came under the influence of his publisher and editor.
I've been out of town and missed the start of this thread. More on Cooper and hardball later.