Along with Jim Gavin, Sergeant Alvin York looms as the largest figure in the 100-year history of the 82nd Airborne Division. His evolution from drunken troublemaker to Christian pacifist to God of war to philanthropist is told all over the country and in many parts of France. In fact, we’ve already covered his personal journey in episodes 3 and 4 of this program. Among historians, however, great controversy remains about York’s heroics during World War I. For decades questions have lingered: How many Germans did York really capture? Has he been credited with the actions of other Soldiers from the 82nd? How fierce was the fighting that day? In this episode we bring in two of our favorite historians, Dr. Phil Nash and Dr. Joe Coohill, to discuss exactly what we know about what occurred in the Argonne Forest on October 8, 1918. We explain the controversy that has followed this story, separate fact from myth, and leave you with a clear understanding of what we know and how we know it. The All American Legacy podcast is dedicated to telling the 100-year-history of the 82nd Airborne Division. We are focused on the known and seek to defeat myths surrounding our legacy. In so doing, we hope to provide listeners with a deeper, more abiding sense of the history of America’s greatest Division. We ask that you please leave a rating and review for this program on iTunes. Please subscribe to the program and tell others about the All American Legacy podcast.

41 - Revisiting Alvin York l A Closer Look at the Myths Surrounding the Greatest Legend in All American History

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