Desmond T. Doss: Example of Stalwart Character

Desmond Doss (#LiveLikeDoss) was the only man to win the US Congressional Medal of Honor while serving under conscientious objector status. A devoted Seventh-Day Adventist, Doss asked for non-combatant status when he was drafted in 1942, but he was told that he could only serve as a C.O.

Doss trained as a military medic and proved himself a selfless hero during the fierce battle for Okinawa. When 75 wounded GIs were stranded atop the Maeda Escarpment, Doss personally made sure each one was lowered to safety, all of this taking place under heavy enemy fire. During his military service, Doss also received the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star, all without harming another human being.

“He was one of the bravest persons alive, and then to have him end up saving my life was the irony of the whole thing,” said Capt. Jack Glover in a documentary about Doss’ life. Glover had wanted Doss out of the unit when he first joined up.

Read the US Army article, Pfc. Desmond Doss: The unlikely hero behind ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ and the Wikipedia article about him.

Hear and see Desmond Doss tell his own story at the Library of Congress Veterans History Project collection.

His favorite Bible verse was Proverbs 3:5-6. Read about the Bible passage featured in the movie Hacksaw Ridge.

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