![]() The Bronze Star with the V device and 2 Oak Leaf Clusters.Fact #12: Doss Received Numerous Honors and Awardsįor his courageous acts of valor, Desmond Doss received: Two years later, Desmond remarried Frances Duman, an author and ham radio operator. In 1991, Desmond’s wife, Dorothy, was killed in an automobile accident. Desmond spent several days in hospitals to receive treatment for the injuries he sustained. Fact #9: Nicknamed “The Wonderman of Okinawa”ĭesmond Doss’s remarkable actions at Hacksaw Ridge, saving an estimated 75 lives, earned him several accolades and the prestigious nickname the “Wonderman of Okinawa.” Fact #10: Dischargedĭesmond was discharged from the Army in 1946, and shortly after, he developed tuberculosis, which left him with only one lung. Doss went to kick the grenade away to save his fellow Soldiers, but it detonated and left him with deep leg lacerations. Refusing to leave any men behind at Hacksaw Ridge, Desmond Doss continued to go back into battle for weeks to search for those injured.Ī few miles away from the ridge, a Japanese grenade landed in the foxhole that Doss and a few wounded soldiers were hiding in. Running into the heat of battle to treat wounds and carry them to safety, with nothing other than his Bible and unwavering faith, Desmond was saving lives while others were taking them.ĭuring the Battle at Hacksaw Ridge, amidst the never-ending gunfire, Doss relentlessly treated Soldiers who thought that they were left for dead and lowered them down the ridge to safety. Unarmed and without medic markings so the Japanese wouldn’t identify him, Doss continuously put himself in harm’s way to treat those wounded under enemy fire. ![]() On May 5, 1945, his Sabbath, Desmond was called to fight at the Battle of Okinawa at Maeda Escarpment, a.k.a. Fact #7: Armed With Only Faith and a Bible In 1945, Desmond and his unit were sent to Okinawa, where he demonstrated remarkable courage and commitment to his fellow Soldiers. Later that same year, he was deployed to Leyte in the Philippines. Fact #6: Deployed to Guam, Leyte, and Okinawaĭoss was first deployed to Guam and served there until 1944. This caused him to nearly miss seeing his brother, Harold, who had joined the Navy. Unsuccessful, he instead denied Doss leave. Standing firm in his desire to serve both his country and uphold his religious beliefs, Doss refused to be discharged.Īnother officer tried to have Doss court-martialed for refusing to hold a rifle. Desmond’s commanding officers repeatedly tried to have him discharged for mental illness. Fact #5: Several Failed Discharge Attemptsĭuring his time in the Army, several attempts were made to discharge Doss. Determined to serve, Doss continued to appeal the Army’s decision until they decided to make him a medic. With this assignment, they hoped it would be enough for Doss to give up and leave the Army. Under the assumption that he would be a combat medic, and classifying himself as a conscientious objector, Doss was shocked when he was assigned to an Infantry Rifle Company. ![]() Fact #4: Assigned to an Infantry Rifle Company ![]() As a devout Seventh Day Adventist, he refused to carry a gun. Fact #3: The Conscientious Objectorĭesmond’s unwavering religious views prohibited him from harming another human being or participating in any act that could cause harm. Heeding this call, Desmond enlisted in the Army Medical Corps as a noncombatant in 1942. Doss felt that God was calling him to serve his country. Fact #2: Enlisted in the ArmyĪfter receiving word of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Desmond T. With a strong commitment to the Bible and the Ten Commandments, his upbringing fundamentally shaped his beliefs, including his strong views against killing and not working on the Sabbath, which he observed on Saturday. was born on February 7, 1919, in Lynchburg, Virginia. More like this: 11 of the Best Military Movies in 2022 to Binge-Watch Now 12 Fascinating Facts About Desmond Doss Fact #1: Raised in the Seventh Day Adventist Churchĭesmond Thomas Doss Jr. What is the story behind this Soldier who refused to carry a gun yet managed to save over 75 lives? Join us as we take a look at the fascinating life of this war hero. Truman shook his hand while Doss officially became the first (and only) conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor during World War II. On October 12, 1945, standing on the White House lawn, Desmond Doss made history.
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