Did You Know There’s A World War I Trench In Tennessee? Here’s Why

When I think of Tennessee and wars, my mind goes straight to the Civil War. The Volunteer State has no shortage of historic sites commemorating that conflict.

So when I learned of a World War I trench you can visit in Tennessee, I was immediately intrigued. It did take a couple of seconds before I thought, “Wait…WORLD WAR I? I’m pretty sure that was fought in Europe.” And, of course, it was.

So what in the name of Alvin C. York is a trench from the Great War doing in the southern United States? Well, the answer is IN that sentence. And, really, I should have already KNOWN the answer thanks to my film class when I was a student at Western Kentucky University.

I saw Sergeant York in that film class back in 1986. It was the first I’d ever heard of the World War I hero, so I familiarized myself WITH his wartime heroics; his is a fascinating story.

Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park

One of the most decorated of all World War I soldiers and officers, York–who was born in Pall Mall TN–became a part of American history, if not folklore, when, in October of 1918, he helped capture more than 100 German soldiers. The National Museum of the United States Army details why that mission could easily have failed:

On October 8, 1918, York and his unit of 16 Soldiers were dispatched to capture the Decauville Railroad. Unfortunately, their map was in French and the detachment ended up behind enemy lines where they ran into a German unit on guard. York and his unit won a brief firefight and captured the enemy soldiers. However, the captured Germans soon discovered the Americans’ mistake and yelled out for help.

Nine American soldiers did ultimately perish, but Sgt. York saved the day employing what the German soldiers couldn’t possibly have expected–hunting skills that were finely honed growing up in the Tennessee mountains.

Today, the reproduction of a World War I battlefield trench is the centerpiece of Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park in Pall Mall. And yes, guests may walk through it. The park is also popular among school groups, and I can certainly understand why.

Read the entire article on the WBKR web site.
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