Robert H. York

Robert H. York was born in Birmingham, Alabama on April 23, 1913, the son of Arthur Leonidas "Lonnie" York and Carrie (Cooper) York. His mother died when he was five years old, and he was raised in Hartselle by his aunt and uncle, John and Eula Cooper, who became his legal guardians. In 1933, York began attendance at Marion Military Institute and also enlisted in the Alabama National Guard. In 1934, he was appointed to the United States Military Academy (West Point) by U.S. Representative Archibald Hill Carmichael. He graduated in 1938 ranked 290 of 301 and received his commission as a second lieutenant. ==Start of career==

Originally slated for the Army Air Corps, a diagnosis of astigmatism prevented him from flying, and he was assigned to the Infantry. Posted to the 1st Infantry Division's 18th Infantry Regiment at Fort Wadsworth, New York, York trained with his regiment in anticipation of U.S. entry into World War II. In 1942, with the country now involved in the war, he took part in the North African campaign, including the Operation Torch landings at Oran. He took part in the July 1943 Allied invasion of Sicily, as well as the 1944 Operation Overlord invasion of France, including the landing at Omaha Beach. York advanced through the ranks, and by June 1944 was a lieutenant colonel in command of the 18th Infantry Regiment's 1st Battalion. In July 1944, York was transferred to the 83rd Infantry Division and assigned to command the division's 331st Infantry Regiment with the rank of colonel. The regiment had lost six commanders in less than month, and had sustained high casualties in post-Overlord combat in Normandy, so morale was at an ebb. York was credited with restoring the regiment's combat effectiveness, and remained in command through the end of the war, including combat in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. After the end of the war in Europe in May 1945, he continued to lead the 331st Infantry during the initial stages of Allied-occupied Germany, and he returned to the United States in April 1946. ==Continued career==

From 1946 to 1950, York was assigned to West Point as an instructor of tactics. In this assignment, he aided in coordinating U.S. support to Great Britain during the Malayan Emergency, and he remained until 1956. In July 1959, York was appointed deputy chief of staff for the United Nations Command in South Korea. He returned to the United States in July 1960 and was assigned as chief of the International Division in the army's Office of Research and Development. ==Later career==

In late 1961, York was promoted to brigadier general, and in May 1962 he began an assignment as military advisor to the deputy director for tactical programs in the Department of Defense's Office of Defense Research and Engineering. In October 1962, he was assigned to duty in South Vietnam as director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Development Field Unit and Joint Operations Evaluation Group. In this posting, he was responsible for observing and providing reports on tactics and techniques of North Vietnam's military and Viet Cong so the U.S. and South Vietnamese militaries could develop responses and counteractions. In February 1964, York was assigned to command the 82nd Airborne Division as a major general. He remained in this position until July 1965, and led his unit during Operation Power Pack, the U.S. intervention in the Dominican Civil War. From July 1965 to August 1967, York commanded the Infantry School. In August 1967, he was promoted to lieutenant general as commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps, and he remained in command until retiring in August 1968. ==Retirement and death==

In retirement, York was a resident of Hartselle, where his civic activities included helping start a halfway house for teenagers recovering from drug addiction. In 1983, he moved to San Diego, California. He died in San Diego on April 15, 1988. York was buried at West Point Cemetery. ==Awards==

York's awards and decorations included: • Distinguished Service Cross • Army Distinguished Service Medal • Silver Star with two oak leaf clusters • Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster • Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster • Bronze Star Medal with three oak leaf clusters • Air Medal • Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster • American Defense Service Medal • American Campaign Medal • European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (eight campaigns) • World War II Victory Medal • Army of Occupation of Germany Medal • National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster • Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal • Vietnam Campaign Medal • Vietnam Service Medal • Meritorious Unit Commendation • Combat Infantryman Badge • Army General Staff Identification Badge • Master Parachutist Badge • Aviator Badge • Crolx de Guerre with Palm (France) • Legion of Honor (Chevalier) (France) ==Family==

In 1941, York married Grace Buckland, the sister of a West Point classmate, and they were married until his death. The Yorks were the parents of five daughters, one of whom did not live to adulthood. ==References==