Mack Yancy

Mack Harrison Yancy (May 5, 1922 – Nov. 17, 1944) was a soldier from Scott County killed in France during World War II.

See Also: Scott Countians killed in war

Biography

Born May 5, 1922, Mack H. Yancy was the son of Luther Yancey (1900-1989) and Flora Stanley (1900-1977). His siblings included Orangie Mae Duncan (1924-1996) and James Curtis Yancey (1933-2008).

He was not married. When he registered for the draft in 1942, he was listed as unemployed.

World War II

PFC Yancy enlisted in the U.S. Army on Nov. 7, 1942 at Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. and was assigned to the 358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division. He fought in the European theater of the war. He was killed on Nov. 17, 1944 in Metz, France. On that day, the regiment was engaged in combat at the Battle for Fort Koenigsmacker and was attempting to cross the Moselle River to neutralize the fort and secure the area.

According to a letter written by Capt. Charles G. Barndt to PFC Yancy’s mother: “Mack, a member of a Rifle Company, was killed while advancing beyond a formidable front which he and other members of the organization had succeeded in taking. While he was not with us long I want you to know those dominant traits of his personality, which you know so well, were manifest to us. I want you to know the high regard in which he was held by all the officers and men in his unit, and on behalf of them I wish to offer my sincere condolence. We know that he did not live or die in vain.“

Aftermath

PFC Yancey’s body was returned to Scott County in August 1948, and he was buried at Pine Hill Cemetery following a funeral service at Paint Rock Baptist Church that was officiating by Rev. Albert Chitwood and Rev. Leland Thomas.

He received the Purple Heart. He is listed on the VFW Post 5669 Memorial Wall in Oneida, the Scott County Veterans Memorial in Huntsville, and the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial in Knoxville.