Thomas F. (hardtack) -
Now this was an interesting book. Although World War I isn't one of my favorite subjects to read about, I've read a lot about Alvin York and why he was awarded the Medal of Honor. I've even seen the Cary Cooper movie more than once. But I always wondered about the others in the patrol.
There were seventeen of them when they started out. Six didn't come back alive and others were wounded. While most of the credit goes to York, others contributed also. And there lies the problem. Initially, they didn't seem to care, but after York was continually lionized some of then began to complain. York achieved fame due to a reporter who found out about the capture of the 132 Germans, and made sure York got the credit....all of it.
While York did profit financially over the years, you have to give him credit for not going commercial and making a huge fortune as he was urged to do. And, unlike the ending of the movie, the farm he and his bride were given was actually a financial burden to them.
York used a lot of the money he earned to build an agricultural school for his county, and also a bible school. But he never seemed to get out of debt.
As some other members of his patrol began to complain over the years, they also received awards and some financial benefits. But most were happy to just fade back into American society, especially those who were immigrants and joined the Army to speed up becoming American citizens. The last chapter covers their lives after the war.
The book also discusses the movie and the difference between what really happened and what Hollywood screenwriters wanted you to believe happened. This includes his "best friend" in the movie, who never existed, and ignores his real best friend in the Army.
One interesting tidbit is that, on the day York earned his Medal of Honor, 12 other American servicemen also performed feats of valor which also earned them the Medal of Honor. But they didn't receive the publicity York did. I was really impressed with the soldier who captured 300 Germans with an empty pistol. I probably shouldn't say it here, but I will.... that guy had balls.
There were seventeen of them when they started out. Six didn't come back alive and others were wounded. While most of the credit goes to York, others contributed also. And there lies the problem. Initially, they didn't seem to care, but after York was continually lionized some of then began to complain. York achieved fame due to a reporter who found out about the capture of the 132 Germans, and made sure York got the credit....all of it.
While York did profit financially over the years, you have to give him credit for not going commercial and making a huge fortune as he was urged to do. And, unlike the ending of the movie, the farm he and his bride were given was actually a financial burden to them.
York used a lot of the money he earned to build an agricultural school for his county, and also a bible school. But he never seemed to get out of debt.
As some other members of his patrol began to complain over the years, they also received awards and some financial benefits. But most were happy to just fade back into American society, especially those who were immigrants and joined the Army to speed up becoming American citizens. The last chapter covers their lives after the war.
The book also discusses the movie and the difference between what really happened and what Hollywood screenwriters wanted you to believe happened. This includes his "best friend" in the movie, who never existed, and ignores his real best friend in the Army.
One interesting tidbit is that, on the day York earned his Medal of Honor, 12 other American servicemen also performed feats of valor which also earned them the Medal of Honor. But they didn't receive the publicity York did. I was really impressed with the soldier who captured 300 Germans with an empty pistol. I probably shouldn't say it here, but I will.... that guy had balls.
