Desmond Doss

Desmond Doss
source
Name	Desmond Doss
Caption	Doss in 1945
Birth date	February 7, 1919
Birth place	Lynchburg, Virginia, U.S.
Death date	March 23, 2006 (aged 87)
Death place	Piedmont, Alabama, U.S.
Placeofburial	Chattanooga National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Army
Serviceyears	1942–1946
Rank	Corporal
Unit	B Company, 1st Battalion, 307th Infantry, 77th Infantry Division
Battles	World War II, • Battle of Guam, • Battle of Leyte, • Battle of Okinawa
Awards	Medal of Honor, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart (3)

Desmond Doss was an American Army medic and conscientious objector who served with distinction during World War II. He was the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary bravery and life-saving actions, most notably during the Battle of Okinawa. Doss's unwavering commitment to his religious beliefs and his comrades made him a unique and celebrated figure in American military history.

Early life and background

Desmond Thomas Doss was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, to a working-class family. He was deeply influenced by the teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, particularly the Biblical commandment "Thou shalt not kill," which he saw depicted in a Sabbath School picture story. This religious conviction, coupled with a childhood experience after his father purchased a pistol, solidified his pacifist beliefs. Before his military service, he worked as a joiner at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, contributing to the war effort on the home front.

Military service and conscientious objector status

Despite being drafted in 1942, Doss refused to bear arms or work on his Sabbath, classifying him as a conscientious objector. He volunteered for service as a combat medic, seeking to save lives rather than take them. Assigned to the B Company, 1st Battalion, 307th Infantry, 77th Infantry Division, he faced intense ridicule and persecution from fellow soldiers and officers who doubted his courage and commitment. His steadfast adherence to his principles was tested during training at Fort Jackson and Camp Shelby, but he eventually earned the respect of his unit through his dedication and skill.

Heroic actions at Hacksaw Ridge

Doss's most famous actions occurred in May 1945 during the assault on the Maeda Escarpment, known as Hacksaw Ridge, on Okinawa Island. As his company faced devastating Japanese counterattacks and was forced to retreat, Doss remained on the exposed cliff top. Over a harrowing twelve-hour period, he repeatedly braved intense machine-gun, mortar, and rifle grenade fire to rescue approximately 75 wounded soldiers. He single-handedly lowered each man down the steep face of the escarpment using a special knot he had devised with a rope. His actions during the Battle of Okinawa were pivotal in allowing his battalion to later secure the strategically critical position.

Later life and legacy

After the war, Doss was diagnosed with tuberculosis, contracted on Leyte, which led to the loss of a lung and years of medical treatment. He lived a quiet life with his wife, Frances Doss, in Rising Fawn, Georgia. His story gained wider public recognition through the 2004 documentary The Conscientious Objector and the 2016 Academy Award-nominated film Hacksaw Ridge, directed by Mel Gibson. Doss's life remains a powerful testament to the strength of personal conviction and courage under fire, inspiring many in both military and pacifist circles.

Awards and honors

For his valor on Okinawa, Desmond Doss was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman at the White House on October 12, 1945. His citation specifically highlights his "outstanding bravery and unflinching determination in the face of desperately dangerous conditions." His other military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal for valor on Guam and Leyte, and three Purple Heart awards for wounds received in action. Numerous facilities, including the Army Reserve center in Lynchburg, Virginia, and a VA clinic in Charleston, South Carolina, have been named in his honor.

Category:American military personnel of World War II Category:Medal of Honor recipients for World War II Category:Conscientious objectors