FIRST EDITION:  Sergeant York: His Own Life Story and War Diary is the autobiography of one of America's most celebrated World War I soldiers, Alvin C. York, written with Australian journalist Tom Skeyhill and first published in 1928. It was the only biography officially authorized by York and later served as the basis for the famous 1941 film Sergeant York starring Gary Cooper. 

The book traces York's life from his impoverished upbringing in the mountains of Tennessee through his religious conversion and struggle with the moral question of military service. Initially opposed to war on religious grounds, York wrestled with his faith after being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1917. The narrative follows his training, deployment to France, and service with the 82nd Division during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. 

The centerpiece of the book is York's own account of October 8, 1918, when he led a small group of American soldiers against German machine-gun positions, killing at least 25 enemy soldiers and capturing 132 prisoners. This action earned him the Medal of Honor and made him an international hero. The included war diary provides day-by-day observations written during his military service, offering a firsthand view of an ordinary soldier's experiences in the American Expeditionary Forces.