[December 22, 2023] Alvin York was a farm boy and a tough, unruly, bitter young man. He got drunk, making a fool of himself and his friends as he so often did. One day, as he traveled with his mule to get revenge on a man who had cheated him, Alvin and his mule were struck by lightning. So begins Sergeant York (1941), a classic World War I film.
The incident convinced him to convert to Christianity and love God Almighty with all his willpower. Growing up, Alvin wanted to purchase some good farmland near his home in Tennessee and, since the lightning strike, to do God’s will. But this was not to be, in 1917 America was about to enter this world war, and Alvin was drafted despite trying to get a deferment based on his religious beliefs.
There was a movie made about this Christian young man titled “Sergeant York” (1941). I heard about it from my Dad, who had already seen the movie when he was a young man. Dad told us that the movie would be shown on our television.
The film was a must-see, according to Dad. And I would not miss the chance of a lifetime to see a genuine war hero in action. I could relate to young Alvin, except I didn’t do any drinking or “corralsing “for women on weekends.
This action-packed movie would be no disappointment for us kids, with lots of noise, plenty of bad guys (the German army), life-or-death situations, fear, joy, struggles, tragedy, and the brotherhood of soldiers. My whole family usually watched a movie on Saturday early afternoons. We watched our small black and white television on the only good channel we could get, Channel 5.
My job was to adjust the rabbit ears (external TV antenna) for the best signal. I sometimes added aluminum foil bits to help, and it worked. Getting ready and the suspense building up all led to greater expectations. The movie Sergeant York would not disappoint; there was plenty of action, and the ending was worth the entire movie.
My brother and I sat on the wood floor of our living room as close to the TV set as our Mom would allow. We were about to watch a classic war movie, except we didn’t know at the time why the film was popular. Well written and starring Hollywood actor Gary Cooper who did some realistic acting like the uneducated Southern hick southerner Alvin York truly was, like so many in those days. I was too young to know this was a made-up movie and not the real thing. It must have been funny, my Mom and Dad watching us, my brother and me, staring intently, mouths agape as we watched in awe.
I still remember sitting there, engrossed, watching Private York take on a company of Germans. He called them the “Hun.” An expert shot, “doughboy” York could shoot one after the other as he had the drop on them. A doughboy is a World War I foot soldier. The whole enemy German army unit surrendered. York was awarded the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest military award, for his exceptional bravery.
It was easy watching the movie. And it was easy to like Sergeant York, the man. It was easy to feel how proud his family and community were of his bravery in combat. I was fascinated by the gallantry, bravery, and determination of the ordinary doughboy, and the film Sergeant York got me interested.
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Excellent article my friend. I too had the job of moving the rabbit ears on the tv; go outside to turn the TV antenna. I love war movies. Private Yoke bravery was an unselfish acts of helpful your fellow soldiers. Gen Douglas you learned alot from this movie which model your career in the Army. Gen Douglas Satterfield you was a Private yoke.
Nice. Thank you Gen. Satterfield.
Great article, sir. Thanks Gen. Satterfield for making my day. I’m a little early with this comment but Merry Christmas to you and your family. 🎄
Gen. Satterfield, another winner. I also saw this movie when I was a kid and was enthralled with the action. I was always interested in action, like you, it appears to me. We all wish we could have exciting lives but after having that ‘exciting’ time, maybe we wish just to be at peace.
Marry a friendly, fit, feminine, and kind woman. If she hums songs, then you have a winner. Women help keep men calm.
😜 It must have been funny, my Mom and Dad watching us, my brother and me, staring intently, mouths agape as we watched in awe. 😜
“This action-packed movie would be no disappointment for us kids, with lots of noise, plenty of bad guys (the German army), life-or-death situations, fear, joy, struggles, tragedy, and the brotherhood of soldiers. My whole family usually watched a movie on Saturday early afternoons. We watched our small black and white television on the only good channel we could get, Channel 5.” — Gen. Doug Satterfield, has once again given us insight into his personality and his thinking as a kid. Many will disagree with me but I think this is important because this is a way to understand how his mind developed over time. I’d like to read some of his thoughts as a teenager and how that differs.
YES! Now that would be really connecting the dots. That task will not be so easy and I look forward to reading it.
Excellent, thanks.
Hi Gen. Satterfield, these are the kinds of articles that I jut love to read and often re-read, as well. They tell a story but there are always hidden, lesser known stories within that story and that is the case today. The hidden story is that you, as a boy, were learning that being strong and brave and protect others is a noble cause. Perhaps that is why you “wanted” to be like them but couldn’t understand why. The why is that we all want to be part of a noble cause.
Hi Max, never thought of it that way. excellent points here. 👍
Yepper, well said (written).
Julia, that is why I always red Max’s comments. They are always on point. Sometimes, he develops Gen. Satterfield’s article in ways that I could not have imagined. My point is that reading Gen. S’s articles and reading this forum often adds a lot to my understanding of the world and I learn tidbits on how to be a better leader and a smarter person. That is what smart folks do.
Well said, Julia and mainer.
Loved the review by boy Satterfield.
You da man, Gen. Satterfield ( as a boy ) !!!!!! 👦
He he He, stole my comment Eye Cat, you da man too!
stole my thoughts