York, Harry E.

Description

Harry Edwin York was born on March 14, 1917, in Bronx, New York, to Elise C York and Harry A York. In Rye his family lived at 14 Soundview Ave. Harry was a graduate from Rye High School, the Bronx Vocationel High School, and had been previously employed as an automobile mechanic before “joining up.”.

Harry first entered the service October 15, 1940 before Pearl Harbor. He was on a one year enlistment and was was honorably discharged October 14, 1941 as a sergeant after stationed at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md.

He married Mary H Lesh on December 13, 1941, in New York City, New York. At the time Harry was working for General Motors in NYC.

When war broke out, Harry reenlisted Nov. 11, 1942 and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was attached to the 106th Infantry Division, 423rd Infantry Regiment, fighting in France and Belgium before being reported missing in action December 21, 1941 during the Battle of the Bulge.

Part of the “Golden Lions” 106th Infantry Division, the 423rd was rushed to the Ardennes front in December 1944 to occupy “quiet” sector positions. The Battle of the Bulge started On December 16, 1944, when the German Army launched a major offensive. The 423rd, along with the 422nd Regiment, was encircled on the Schnee Eifel ridge.

Despite attempts to break out, the regiment ran out of ammunition, food, and water. Colonel Charles C. Cavender ordered the regiment to surrender on December 19, 1944. The 423rd’s stubborn resistance for several days slowed the German advance toward St. Vith.

Thousands of troops were captured and faced harsh conditions in German POW camps, including Stalag 9B and Stalag 4B, with some surviving the bombing of rail yards while in transit. The regiment was effectively destroyed as a fighting unit in December 1944, though the 106th Division was later reconstituted.

T/Sgt. Harry York Missing In Action

Technical Sergeant Harry F. York, twenty-seven year old, has been reported missing in action by the War Department. Word received last weekend by his mother, Mrs. Elsie York, 14 Sound dew Avenue, slated he has been missing since December 21. Harry York, greens keeper at the Rye Country Club. Attached to the 123rd Infantry Regiment, Sergeant York has been overseas since October 15. He first entered service a before Pearl Harbor, was discharged, and re-entered again three years ago. His wife, a resident of the Bronx, stated lie has fought in France and Belgium.


PAGE FOURTEEN THE RYE CHRONICLE Friday, January 26, 1945

Reported Missing Was War Prisoner

Tech. Sergt. Harry K. York, reported missing in action in Germany since December 21, 1944, Is now known to have been a prisoner of war. Word received by his wife, a Bronx resident, stated be had been liberated. Attached to the 423rd Infantry Regiment, he first entered the service before Pearl Harbor, was discharged then entered again more than three years ago, fighting in France and Belgium before his capture.


May 15, 1945 THE RYE CHRONICLE PAGE THIRTEEN

Harry was liberated at wars end and returned home to Rye. By 1950, he had two daughters and they lived at his childhood home on Soundview Ave. He was then employed by Buick Company as an auto mechanic. He retired and moved to Florida in 1976.

Harry Edwin York died on February 19, 1991, in Orlando, Florida, at the age of 73, and was buried in Gotha, Florida.