Corporal Alvin C. York was serving with the 328th Infantry Regiment during World War I when he executed a remarkable act of valor on October 8, 1918, in the Argonne Forest of France. Tasked with a mission to infiltrate enemy lines, York and his squad encountered a fortified position manned by German troops. Although heavily outnumbered, York demonstrated exceptional bravery and leadership. In the ensuing confrontation, he single-handedly took on enemy machine gun positions after his squad was pinned down, utilizing marksmanship skills honed in his youth. The conflict lasted for approximately 30 minutes, during which he killed 28 German soldiers and captured 132 others, a feat that significantly weakened the German defenses in that area.

York's actions not only had an immediate impact on the battlefield, as they contributed to the broader success of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, but they also resonated in the United States, turning him into a national hero. Following the war, his story became widely recognized, resulting in numerous honors including the Medal of Honor awarded by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919. This recognition reflected the evolving American identity, where individual valor in combat was celebrated within the national narrative.