Who are the Other Sixteen?
On the morning of 8 October 1918, the 1st and 2nd battalion of the 164th Infantry engaged in a bold assault of the German Front, west of Chatel-Chehery, France. Their mission was to capture the Decauville Railroad which had been the source of supplies and fresh soldiers for the German Army. After becoming pinned down by enemy machine gun fire a force of four noncommissioned officers and thirteen privates was sent to the left flank in an attempt to remove or reduce this fire. While history and legend will tell you Alvin York "single-handedly" captured 132 and killed 28 German Soldiers, that is not fact. There were 17 men involved in this battle, York and The Other Sixteen. Their names and story will be told on this site.
This battle happened 90 years ago, why start a controversy now?
Controversy has surrounded this story for the nearly 90 years it has been retold, this controversy is not new. In fact, the men themselves had made several attempts to set their story straight, let alone the countless efforts made by others on their behalf (like ours). Documented efforts to present this information have been found as early as 1919. By examining the record, we have found attention and momentum for this cause to be cyclical, it just won't go away. Each time ground has been gained or a breakthrough appears eminent, the survivors of this battle have come up short, empty or unfulfilled. Through direct, personal contact with these soldiers, it is known that this inequity of honor and the perpetuation of the "York Legend" caused these men great personal anguish and unrest. Also, as our efforts to carry the torch for our ancestors increased, a new controversy concerning this event began. That controversy is finding the location where the battle occurred. The search for this location was pioneered by Taylor Beatie. Currently, two camps, one led by Tom Nolan (The Sgt. York Project) and the other Doug Mastriano (Sgt. York Discovery Expedition) stake separate claims as to the exact location of the battle. This controversy has led to some media attention regarding this battle making now a better time that any to increase the efforts on behalf of the Other Sixteen. This organization does not formally endorse either location at this time despite one sites claim that the case is "closed".
Who makes up this present day organization and provides the information on this website?
Our names are inconsequential, but we are all descendents of the Other Sixteen members of this detachment. Though we do not represent all of the members of this detachment, one of our goals has been to find a representative family member for each of the sixteen. Currently, we have identified descendants of Bernard Early, Otis Merrithew , Percy Beardsley, Patrick Donohue, Thomas Johnson, Joseph Konotski, Michael Saccina, and most recently, George Wills. We are their sons, daughters, grandchildren, nephews, nieces and cousins.
What is the goal of this group?
The goal of this group is simple. We seek the deserved recognition for the other sixteen members of this detachment, however it may come. Whether it is from the government in the form of medals and citations, individual or group monuments or plaques, or through media stories or articles presenting an objective and more accurate presentation of the facts, we won't discriminate. The fact that you are reading this right now is the realization of our goal.
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