Historically, the people of Appalachia have played a major role in fighting for and defending America’s freedom. From colonial times to our current war against terrorism, Appalachian soldiers have been at the forefront of battle.

During World War I, an Appalachian soldier became the hero who captured the popular imagination. Alvin York, a mountain boy from Tennessee’s Cumberland plateau, went out on patrol in 1918 and singlehandedly killed twenty-five Germans with twenty-five shots and returned with 132 German soldiers whom he had captured. When York marched his captives to division headquarters, his commander remarked, "Well, York, I hear you have captured the whole Germany army." York saluted and modestly asserted, "No sir, I just got 132 of them."

Kentucky produced a number of heroic soldiers like Alvin York, including Sergeant Willie Sandlin of Leslie County who assaulted three entrenched German machine gun nests. Armed only with grenades and a rifle, Sandlin killed all the occupants, captured a battalion headquarters, and created a hole in the German lines. Like Alvin York, Sandlin was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Three decades later Appalachian men and women helped America fight a two-front war that spanned the entire globe. Franklin Sousley, from nearby Fleming County, was one of the six men who raised the flag on Mount Suribachi at Iwo Jima. Sousley was killed in action three weeks later, but many of his Appalachian brothers and sisters returned to a hero’s welcome and the benefits of the G.I. Bill.

Sadly, the war to make the world safe for democracy and the war to end all wars did not eliminate international warfare, and throughout the rest of the twentieth century Appalachians marched forth in service to their country in Korea, Vietnam, and the Middle East.

In the Korean War, all five of Kentucky’s Medal of Honor winners were from Appalachia and two were from Greenup County: Captain William E. Barber of Morgan County; Corporal John Walton Collier of Greenup County; First Lieutenant Carl H. Dodd from Harlan County; Private David M. Smith from Rockcastle County, and Private First Class Ernest Edison West from Greenup County.

Statistics testify to the significant role that Appalachian people played in America’s military history, but statistics alone can never completely capture the enormous contribution they have made.

As we begin another century of American life, the people of Appalachia continue to defend our freedoms.

As a token of respect for Appalachia’s soldiers and as a reflection of the great patriotism that exists throughout our region, the Jesse Stuart Foundation has a special section of our store devoted to military books.

It is small in content, but large in purpose. It honors every man and woman from Appalachia who served our country.

Appalachian soldiers, we salute you!