Sergeant Alvin York 1887-1964
Known as the greatest dough boy of World War I, York's life story was immortalized in the popular movie, Sergeant York.
His heroic actions in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive led to his brigade commander saying. "Well, York. I hear you've captured the whole Germany army." York replied that he had taken only 132 prisoners.
York also destroyed 35 enemy machine gun nests and killed 28 Germans, a feat that earned him a Medal of Honor.
What made York's achievement even more spectacular was the fact that he was not only a draftee, but also a conscientious objector due to his strict religious beliefs.
Raised in a poor Tennessee farming family, York became an outstanding marksman by hunting as a youth. Although he received little formal education, he used money he made from his movie to improve local educational opportunities.