Alvin York was an American soldier during World War I, born on December 13, 1887, in Pall Mall, Tennessee. He is best known for his heroic actions during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in 1918, where he led a small group of soldiers in an attack against a German machine gun nest. His bravery resulted in the capture of 132 enemy soldiers and earned him the Medal of Honor. After the war, York became a national hero and was celebrated for his contributions to the military. He later worked to promote peace and education, establishing the Alvin C. York Institute in Tennessee to help local youth. York passed away on September 2, 1964.