The Most Decorated Soldier Who Didn't Want To Be There

[@Simplehistory]

This video was made possible thanks to everyone on the Simple History Patreon: www.patreon.com/simplehistory

[@Theoddredboy]

So skibidi bro

[@christopherdempsey3878]

Can you do a video on Ron Kovic next please?

[@YoonGaramThePscyhopath-x1e]

His Name Is York?. Remind Me Of Agent York.

[@dariootero5579]

I know you changed the title.

[@brandonm.6604]

This video made possible by A.I.

[@WafflesTwoThreeZero]

Part of the reason york agreed to do the movie in 1941 was to put his earnings from it to help keep the high school he built and founded open. The school is still open to this day

[@Appocalachia2020]

Did a lot of good for Appalachian people and got steamrolled by the irs for his troubles.

[@dlxmarks]

The Alvin C. York Institute in Jamestown, Tennessee, founded in 1926 as a private secondary school and then put under the administration of the Tennessee state government in 1937. Also notable as the only US high school operated by a state government.

[@WafflesTwoThreeZero]

@ it’s not private and it’s not ran by the U.S government just the Tennessee state government

[@dlxmarks]

@@WafflesTwoThreeZero I have no idea what I stated in my comment contradicts what you state in your response.

[@SeanWinters]

Technically it was established as a Sunday school.

[@guyh.4553]

He's a legend in the US Army. The basic summary of what the Army taught was "You can follow and act upon your convictions and but sometimes you have to fight to be able to keep and hold those beliefs." Legend.

[@Redwin34]

I would say hes more of a, "Theirs was not to question and ask why, theirs was to do or die."

[@MediumMonitor]

That's a good quote that I've always known, really should follow, but keep forgetting. I'd probably be significantly more successful in life surrounded by more quality people had I done so.

[@Zwei22]

With how thr U.S is now and how our government is acting against the American people, I would not trust a thing coming from them. They literally just passed a bill that authorizes military personnel to lethally kill American citizens...

[@Gravitatis]

wow he said something that literally even small children know, very impressive

[@duc2133]

Goofy quote that is meaningful in specific scenarios, but it’s just being used to control you muppets and make you proud while doing it

[@jimthewhale]

THANK YOU FOR mentioning Kirby Stewart! He is my local towns war hero. He came from Florida and volunteered to lead that morning on October 8th knowing the chance of coming back was slim. He requested to go as he had no one back home other than his mother to worry about him… after he died Alvin York personally thanked his mom and told him without her son he would never have been able to do what he did that day… I visit his grave often here in Bradenton. I rarely see his name ever when people talk about Alvin York and I couldn’t believe you guys did the research and included his name! I love this channel so much more!

[@forkittens]

give his plot a flower seed for me next time you visit. i'm too far away to do it myself. o7

[@CaliCracksGaming]

I cannot understate how good the animation has become over all these years. I remember the classic 6-year-old videos don't even have the soldiers bolting their rifles, when in these even dead bodies are extremely detailed with fallen equipment, detailed uniforms, signs of damage on used equipment, it's just TOO GOOD!

[@Gravitatis]

literally van gogh

[@Erreul]

Agreed, it's been a pleasure to watch.

[@america8706]

The detail that got me was seeing the sole of their boots as they ran toward us.

[@Jugement]

Yet the Germans are in 1939 Wehrmacht uniforms. The animation is alright but that massive oversight completely ruined the immersion for me

[@SalmanKhan-dx1ch]

One of the positives of years long experience in a talent, is the re-usable assets you have acquired to save time and workload

[@ThisMotherFucker]

You can hate your job and still be a total fucking badass at your occupation.

[@travcollier]

If you don't hate being a soldier in war, you're a psychopath.

[@rodluv21]

Escorts would agree 👍🏻

[@karlotolic8523]

Jokić

[@manicmechanic448]

You can still go to his church, where he's buried. I've visited his house, and spoke with his, now late, son. I even had the rare opportunity to see his car. A 1957 Pontiac.

[@michaelterrell5061]

Wonderful opportunity you had there.

[@manicmechanic448]

@@michaelterrell5061 it's well worth the visit.

[@jordanclark7976]

I grew up in Jamestown and graduated from the high school he founded

[@jordanclark7976]

Our whole JROTC program hall is filled with stuff about him and freshmans have a movie day and watch his movie in a theatre

[@manicmechanic448]

@@jordanclark7976 you live near Pall Mall don't you?

[@davea6314]

He was followed by heroic Audie Murphy in WW2.

[@victorwaddell6530]

And Desmond Doss .

[@SeanDahle]

John Basilone, Carlos Hathcock, and many others

[@MASTEROFEVIL]

200th like

[@CapsizedCloud]

@@SeanDahleMore like Carlos Hathgiantcock.

[@azimisyauqieabdulwahab9401]

T.E. Lawrence

[@brainflash1]

0:33 Apparently York had Benjamin Button disease, even when he was a baby he had the head of a 40 year old man.

[@JulianEmdon]

He was so manly he was born a man.

[@cchavezjr7]

Lol, I was thinking of Benjamin Button as well when I saw the mom holding the baby lol.

[@natheriver8910]

😂😂😂

[@patrickk1771]

Absolute Chad baby

[@Emz_Cast]

Get out

[@Battlefieldenjoyer]

The last time i was this early franz ferdinand just got assasinated

[@FelicityBoateng-hl4ln]

😂😂 so true

[@patshort177]

Your wife knows all about that 😉

[@dubuyajay9964]

Whoa. 🤯

[@alm5992]

I was so early that dumb meme comments didn't exist yet.

[@Gigrunt887]

Lol ​@@patshort177

[@Alwyn2112]

There’s a 1941 movie made on him, Sergeant York, staring Gary Cooper. He won a Oscar for his performance.

[@Blaqjaqshellaq]

It came out just as Americans were turning in favor of fighting Germany and looking for moral justification. (Perfect timing!)

[@ryanmann1416]

Oddly enough, learned that nugget of knowledge from the show M*A*S*H

[@t3golf]

A stipulation of York agreeing to the movie was that Gary Cooper played the lead role.

[@petercraig1948]

Good movie

[@JaNeija]

I watched it as part of a study.

[@ChrisKane-]

This is one of those men that I wished I learned about when I was younger. Really inspiring to learn about his actions and how he had the courage to compromise some of his beliefs. 👍

[@pyeitme508]

RAD!

[@Chanchezbawan]

Right, history teachers now just preach on how "evil" the US was/is.

[@NotHappening-b8t]

never compromise for others. never bend the knee to the benefit of others. because so many do we have wars, we have racism, slaves, criminals running rampant, drugs etc all over. all because people compromise. now we have men claiming to be women, going to girls restrooms, swim meets, competing. again because weak men compromise with foul minded people This man has a nice story to tell. but sadly it is one to NOT follow.

[@christopherdempsey3878]

Finally! I've been wanting to see you do a video on Sergeant Alvin York for a while now!

[@captaintaxi6884]

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

[@SandraNelson063]

Hurray Sabaton!

[@thesadgamer5987]

I heard that the reason why Alvin York killed those 25 Germans was because his best friend was shot and killed.

[@drewmcdanel4425]

Your spot on. Even on the Sabaton History channel (I like to call it that) even said that he lost it when a German not only took control of the HMG and killed York's best friend but also tried to kill the POWs that the German considered as traitors.

[@10INTM]

What are you guys talking about? He went through great efforts to not kill any more than he had to. Expressed it in his memoirs.

[@lucaslaino7292]

His best friend was killed on a fight back in tennesse long back time before the war

[@bjchit]

Pretty sure that was Audie Murphy.

[@jump312]

that little pause in the story to tell about the gun he may or may not have used, was so freeeeakking cool. cheers from a canadain

[@Antimanele104]

8:12 First ever historic record of getting a nuke killstreak.

[@prophiit]

LOOOL

[@IRLWojak]

ROFL

[@TomsOnUK]

Never knew of this solider thanks for another amazing history video

[@seanbigay1042]

"There were over a hundred of you guarded by maybe half a dozen Yanks! Why didn't you attack them?" "Because that York guy had reloaded." 😂

[@thermalserpent4269]

There on that day Alvin York entered the fray saving the day 82nd all the way

[@LancerAccent1812]

I have ADHD and have trouble learning in school, These history videos teach me so much. One of the best channels ever 🎉

[@KevlarSammy]

😂. Put away your cell phone for an hour and try, then reward yourself with a 10-15 minute break. Can’t believe none of your people have showed you the hack yet!?!

[@madisondean1074]

I too have ADHD, which causes me to lack the ability to focus on a single task. But history is the one thing that I never loose focus on.

[@TheBlackywo0d]

so you dont have adhd ​@@madisondean1074

[@Timmytheman.]

That's not how ADHD works... I have severe ADHD so I would know how it works. ​@@KevlarSammy

[@lukbomr.3112]

Everyone new gen kid has adhd. Stop making excuses 😂

[@Krangbot]

Imagine the weight on this man's soul and still continuing to do one's duty and stand by his friends on the Frontline. Thank God America had so many men like him back in those days.

[@ErenYeager-zf3td]

Until Desmond Doss did the impossible. Fighting a war without a weapon. Save than kill. Took place in WW2.

[@nothanks9503]

It still does there just isn’t a worthy cause

[@jokodihaynes419]

"when the bullets start flying that's when you know who your real friends are"-my grandpa

[@RayGun2324]

1:34 The commandment is "You shall not murder" It has never been "kill". Have no idea where this common misconception came from.

[@samuraijack1371]

95% of Christian padres do not understand the meaning in their own religious books. No wonder you have so much suffering .

[@Robocat511]

So being a soldier is fine since it’s not murder and it’s instead defending your country right?

[@groofromtheup5719]

​@@Robocat511Murder has always been different than killing for as long as two different words existed.

[@Robocat511]

@@groofromtheup5719 true, murder is more like wrongfully ending another humans life while killing can be something as small as an ant.

[@XxHitmanN]

Its the same bro in kjv bible it days Thou shall not kill

[@Brother_In_Christ]

8:11 25 kills is insane. Try tapping with your finger 25 times and you'll realise how many that is.

[@nonayabusiness6170]

Desmond Thomas Doss was a combat Medic for WWll and won the Medal fo Honor for saving many lives on both sides without killing anyone. This guy is the reluctant guy who says I'm not good at CoD and ended up killing the whole lobby over and over 💀☠

[@DrSmallarms]

Then his ultimate feat, getting a Sabaton song dedicated to him

[@prophiit]

Real

[@KayakTN]

There's a VA hospital named after him in Murfreesboro, TN, about 45 minutes outside of Nashville.

[@DucNguyen-bd5ir]

Even though he went and was convinced that what he was doing wasn't "murder," York suffered a lot post WWI with having to take lives. He wasn't dismissive of his accomplishments but he wasn't proud of them either. I think I read somewhere that he just stated that he did what was needed to be done. (edited to correct typing error of I versus he)

[@gmansard641]

Typical of most soldiers, from what I understand. The title of this video says a lot, a highly decorated soldier who didn't want to be there. Even the most dedicated of soldiers would rather not go to war, but they accept it because their convictions tell them it's necessary.

[@commonsenseking6386]

Also, he lost many of his children, some at birth, medicine was not good until after WW2.

[@LuckyVirtualReality-ow2xd]

Yes the old narrator

[@unamedjeff3478]

Yuh

[@richardshort3914]

This is probably the fifth time I have made this comment, but if there were an award for attention to military arms detail, you guys would get it! You show York with a P17 (American Enfield), everybody else, including the movie with Gary Cooper, has him with a Springfield. Well done!

[@samiam619]

At least you could get the name of the rifle correctly. It’s a Remington Model of 1917. They were also made by Winchester and a division of Remington called the Eddystone. I have an Eddystone. The Enfield was a P14 for use by the English.

[@joshsmith9495]

This is one of my Heros, I got to spend a whole day in Pall Mall visiting his home and seeing all the places he grew up

[@CasanovaPopperz]

00:39 that’s a toddler sized man 😂

[@jitters665]

So cursed. I was done. I stopped the video and scrolled to see if it was just me. I'm sure there was a great story to be told, but from that point on, it was just about a child with a middle-aged mans head.

[@Delk19YT]

Hey that's my family history :) still live in the mountains here in TN

[@KevlarSammy]

What

[@predwards8941]

Tennessee has a rich history of memorable veterans

[@saturnineace2324]

Thank you for your service Sgt York.

[@Bazinguh]

That guy from the hard asf ww1 painting of a trooper with a 1911 shooting enemies in the trenches 🔥

[@chilllikewill_7950]

This reminds me of the Legendary Desmond Doss, except Doss didn’t actually kill anybody

[@RyanLovesHK416]

Or maybe Audie Murphy

[@The_Porsche_guy]

My exact thoughts

[@HandSonlife2]

I went to Alvin C York institute. While in ROTC I was a Paul barrier for his grandson Eddie York. It was an honor.

[@Ac-317z]

Me trying to fail in a test but ending up with a A+

[@Spaghettiyum]

May he rest in peace. He did very well and may the lives of the innocent that were lost rest in peace .

[@4W4yf4ringStr4nger]

The thumbnail is everything tbh

[@tongbruh5524]

"There on that day Alvin York entered the fray Saving the day"

[@ΚοινωνικόςΟρθολογιστής]

82nd all he way

[@walnzell9328]

0:32 Baby Alvin scares me on a spiritual level.

[@jokodihaynes419]

"Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them."-William Shakespeare

[@GoldenBred]

Pause

[@sevenoneheaven]

Resume ​@@GoldenBred

[@skithness]

3:06 sounded so much like Solid Snake

[@janitorial-engineer2286]

Rip sir. Thank you for your service.

[@TheColinShowGaming]

Super good! Keep the great content coming! Also, If anyone wants to hear a more drawn-out version of Alvin York's life, I'd highly recommend listening to the 4 part series Adventure's In Odyssey did on his life. I'd say it's some of my favorite work from AIO.

[@unknownuser8228]

Joakim's destroying his knee again

[@ReubenCoates-wt2hq]

I was wondering how long it would be until I saw a sabaton fan, I guess not long.

[@captainpricegaming4571]

Already destroyed he had a knee replacement now

[@Littlepotatochip117]

This is amazing ! They need to make a movie of this !

[@atlasmilitarycorporation]

My friend was relatated to Alvin York, he went to Army basic with with me and he shared stories, our BCT CO and XO shaked his hand. Our DS pushed him harder then us, he's a Combat Medic

[@ReicantheJester]

The best heroes are not those that fight because they want to. But those that fight because they must.

[@KevlarSammy]

He decided to kill regardless of his personal beliefs 😂

[@CamdenBB62]

He got the zesty pose on the thumbnail

[@BAYKON8R]

The Major who decided to talk to him instead of telling him to get out is a good man

[@Fazzee45]

Damn saying please surrender so I can stop killing you is wild.

[@Jet-Da_Plane]

"It doesn't matter how strong, how (wealthy), or how smart you are, when the bullets start flying, that's when you're really tested." -American Infantryman Journal

[@Terpaholic_Tendencies]

I am a direct descendant of Alvin York. He is the great uncle of my maternal grandmother. I was in disbelief until Nana showed me family pictures.

[@ubergeek1968]

I grew up in Nashville and have spent many an hour admiring that statue. The Legend of Alvin York is one that was told in every school.

[@Silent_Death549]

As a Tennessean I love hearing about Alvin C York, I've even been to the Alvin C York State Historic Park in Pall Mall

[@WatchingVideos-w9v]

I love how he’s like “aw man I really wish I was back home right now” while being shot at in the thimbnail

[@Diesel-ship23]

Sergeant York is such a good movie

[@CoolAnimations01]

The quality is always getting better!

[@funnybuddy3553]

Isnt it said that the "thou shall not kill" was mistranslated and is actually "Thou shall not murder"

[@petermcgraw2957]

what a brave soldier, he gave it his all

[@arielvega6344]

0:42 That's not a baby! That's a grown little man!

[@v1zk0r18]

Alvin passed away on my birthday that’s actually crazy. But this was pretty interesting to watch but I’m hoping there’s no WW3. The previous 2 were enough.

[@ZAND4TSU]

💀💀💀

[@Wintermute01001]

0:33 Alvin was apparently born a tiny version of a middle aged man.

[@dbaider9467]

Great Stuff, as always.

[@NationalDevin]

*Messenger dies* "Leaving the unit unsupported" *The Ad* NOW BUY OUR WATCH!

[@hood_TheJoker]

he was a grown man as a baby with that haircut 😅

[@Onebigcod]

😂 Thumbnail had me dying, but also this is probably the silliest war hero ever.

[@craigr6186]

I recently visited Alvin Yorks home in pall mall TN it was an amazing experience to see how such a great man started and finished his life humble and with the love of God and country.

[@phentomteron4075]

The line in the movie you tell him you talk better english then me always gets me😅

[@ShadowEXblair]

0:33 wow hes so manly that he already has the head of a 40 year old man

[@KevlarSammy]

He was 30 years old when he was drafted.

[@VirgilVanDijk420]

Is there any case of Germany or other central power countries having soldiers that also did heroic deeds or took on many enemies at once since every single heroic story from ww1 is from the allied side

[@justinsmith1034]

0:35 i like how the baby is just a small man lmao

[@RandomGuy-bu5pn]

York's Major is a smart man. A normal commander would have just scream at him, but he actually engaged in a debate with York and convinced him.

[@TheHighBrew]

Ya know what? I'm born and raised in Tennessee and I've seen the statue tons of times but never knew the story. Damn that guy is an inspiration.

[@HelvestaCh.]

Funny how as I'm watching this video, I went "Alvin York? Where Have I heard that name?" Then I remember sabaton making a song about him titled 82nd All the way. It was really accurate indeed. Good stuff.

[@poke_hoard422]

The thing about war is, you don't really know your good at it until you try it

[@darrencorrigan8505]

Thanks, History.

[@Pycran]

The original 1911 had a flat mainspring housing, which made recoil control very difficult, and only had 7+1 rounds available. 2 of those taking out 6 charging soldiers is insane.

[@HCX.501]

ALVIN YORK my favorite MOH recipient and Soldier 🫶✝️🙌God Bless that man Sabaton does great cover and story behind alvin york everyone should check out and the song is BADASS

[@loganstewart2543]

A true Tennessee legend 🙏🏼

[@danteintense5164]

1:40 "thou shall not kill"? In KJV it’s "tho shall not murder". Which is the correct way. Murder and kill are two different things.

[@WhydoIsuddenlyhaveahandle]

Great Episode! Another is Desmond Doss! Pacifist who recieved the MOH

[@Tenchigumi]

The thumbnail for this video gives the impression that Alvin York was like a Woody Allen character who reluctantly bumbled his way to an insane K:D ratio and a medal of honor.

[@gmansard641]

This video's title says a lot. In most cases even the most dedicated of soldiers would rather not go to war, but they accept it if they believe it's necessary.

[@megaspear150]

Damn York hurting skills really showed in war after becoming a true soldier.

[@notthefbi7932]

They made a great video of his journey, it's a classic

[@abad-enoughdude._.3919]

Just posting to say the thumbnail is a masterpiece.

[@dogboi6639]

the baby version of york you guys animated belongs somewhere no one has to see it ever again.

[@xiaoruiyang9277]

The Oldest Strongest Hero

[@RezaQin]

There was an old black and white movie I believe called York which is a great depiction of his life.

[@ashcan8528]

Yall should do a video on that one Greece ship that hit a sea mine and then continue to sail

[@gavinl1565]

I remember watching the movie about him. He's one if my favorite ww1 soldiers. I even love the sabaton song about him.

[@Tales_of_Tanks]

My friend Micah’s grandfather was Alvin York on his mothers side. He has Yorks Medal of Honor encased on a plague.

[@straighthonest]

Something clicks differently and you when it's either your life or the enemy's life

[@Progamerguy101]

It's great that this man understands the terrible things about war but what's worse is most people who respect him as a soldier don't understand yet what he does. War is made by the old to kill the young. We die for the hatred of someone else.

[@isnel1021]

i remember reading a biography about him, then watched the old black and white film. Such an interesting man who credited his success primarily to God. His strong faith is something i wish more contemporary entertainment shed light on, i recall being disappointed that the Sabaton song on him didn't mention it at all

[@rollastudent]

He wasn’t happy to be there, and he was going to let everyone know it