Cornay () is a
commune in the
Ardennes
The Ardennes ( ; ; ; ; ), also known as the Ardennes Forest or Forest of Ardennes, is a region of extensive forests, rough terrain, rolling hills and ridges primarily in Belgium and Luxembourg, extending into Germany and France.
Geological ...
department in northern
France
France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
.
World War I
On 8 October 1918, in the Argonne Forest (), Cornay was the scene of particularly heavy fighting. The 82nd US Infantry Division launched a series of attacks in the area, with 1st Battalion, 328 Infantry regiment (82nd Division) attacking to liberate Cornay and 2nd Battalion,
328th Infantry Regiment attacking into the Argonne Forest through Chatel Chehery (south of Cornay). Around 10:30 am, the German 125th Landwehr Wuerttemberg Regiment and 212th Prussian Reserve Regiment launched a determined counterattack against the American forces, which inflicted heavy casualties on the Americans, with more than 100 being captured. The 82nd Division was forced to retreat from Cornay. The town was retaken by the Americans the next day. Three kilometers to the south, Cpl
Alvin C. York
Alvin Cullum York (December 13, 1887 – September 2, 1964), also known by his rank as Sergeant York, was an American soldier who was one of the most decorated United States Army soldiers of World War I. He received the Medal of Honor fo ...
from Company G, 328th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Infantry Division, with the aid of 7 other soldiers, captured 132 German soldiers.
For his actions York was awarded the US
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces, military decoration and is awarded to recognize American United States Army, soldiers, United States Navy, sailors, Un ...
.
Population
See also
*
Communes of the Ardennes department
The following is a list of the 447 communes of the Ardennes department of France
France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include Frenc ...
References
Communes of Ardennes (department)
Ardennes communes articles needing translation from French Wikipedia
{{Ardennes-geo-stub