Tennessean and hero Alvin C. York was one of the most decorated soldiers in World War I. On Oct. 8, 1918, while leading a small patrol through the Argonne Forest in France, Sgt. York had the assignment to eliminate a flank of opposition machine gun fire that was halting his regiment's advancement. York found himself alone facing a German machine gun unit and he took them on with only a rifle and a pistol. The fight ended with over 20 German soldiers dead and another 132 soldiers surrendering along with their four officers and 35 machine guns. For his efforts he was awarded a dozen medals including the Congressional Medal of Honor.
After the War, he returned to his family farm in Pall Mall, nestled in the Tennessee Mountains. York never looked to capitalize on his fame, and instead led a quiet life.
York's Family farm, grist mill, and burial site are now maintained by Tennessee as a State Historic Park. The Grist Mill and dam were built on the Wolf River and operated by York until his death in 1964. Since then, the farm has been designated a National Historic Landmark District and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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