Not every hero carries a gun. A perfect example of such a hero is Desmond Doss, who served as a medic in World War II. He fought in three battles but was best known for serving at the Battle of Okinawa in 1945 and was rewarded a Medal of Honor for his service.
Desmond Doss entered the war wanting to save lives, not take them. He did not believe in killing because he was a Seventh-Day Adventist who could not murder. However, he did not want to opt out of war, so he enlisted and, with struggle, became a medic—without a gun.
The Battle of Okinawa, on top of Maeda Escarpment or Hackshaw Ridge, was a stressful time for Doss. But through it all, Doss was administering aid to men thought unsavable. On May 4th, he saved 75 men single-handedly. PFC Carl B. Bentley wrote of his actions on April 29th, 1945:
Pfc Doss went out and administered 1st aid to a man whose legs were completely blown off and evacuated him back by hand to the edge of escarpment – than tied him on a litter and fastened him to ropes to lower him down a 30 ft cliff...he continually lowered more and more wounded men by the means of said ropes.[1]
Bentley added, "carrying down men, while exposed to enemies down a cliff, is extraordinary" and "is a fearless man not carrying a weapon and relying on the help of God for protection.”[2] Desmond put himself last and put others first, trusting in the Lord to help him through it all. When he was faced with saving man after man, he kept praying to the Lord to get "one more." After he got a man, he prayed to get one more again. And so on.
1st Lt. of the 307th Inf. Cecil L. Gornto spoke of an instance where Doss spent over an hour trying to save one colonel's life.[3]
Some conscientious objectors, as men like Doss are called, instead of going to war, may stay behind. But Doss had a fighting spirit and loyalty to his country—he wanted to go and serve his country, however, without using guns. And that is what he did. People did not initially respect him. Nonetheless, Doss did not care if he was ridiculed—all he wanted was to serve the Lord and his country. Doss’ service ended when his leg was critically injured after he, not thinking, put his foot on a grenade. After a long wait in which he still helped others despite being injured, he was carried back until he gave his stretcher to another. A soldier rescued him after.
Harry Truman wrote a letter to Eleanor Roosevelt about conscientious objectors and at the end of the letter, Truman added “P.S.” to address Doss:
P.S. The most sincere conscientious objector I ever have met was one on whom I placed a Congressional Medal of Honor, not long ago. He served in the Medical Corps of the Navy and carried wounded marines and sailors to safety on Okinawa under fire. He was a real conscientious objector who believed the welfare of his country came first. I shall never forget what he said to me when I fastened the medal around his neck. He said he could do the Lord’s work under fire as well as anywhere else.[4]
Harry Truman was astonished by this amazing man, saying to him at his medal ceremony, “I’m proud of you. You really deserve this. I consider this a greater honor than being president.”[5]
Doss went under enemy fire alone; no obstacle would stop this man from doing God’s Will. His bravery, courage, and faith are all examples to us today. Praise the Lord for such people as Desmond Doss.
[1] Bentley, Carl. “Carl Bentley Affidavit Supporting Medal of Honor.” (affidavit, June 18, 1945), https://catalog.archives.gov/id/595195?objectPanel=transcription (accessed October 13, 2024).
[2] Ibid.
[3] Cecil L. Gornto, “Cecil L. Gornto’s Statement Supporting Medal of Honor” (certificate, June 18, 1925), https://catalog.archives.gov/id/595200 (accessed October 13, 2024).
[4] Harry S. Truman, “Letter to Eleanor Roosevelt” (letter, December 6, 1946), https://catalog.archives.gov/id/4708787?objectPanel=transcription (accessed October 13, 2024).
[5] The Eisenhower Foundation. Desmond Doss. https://eisenhowerfoundation.net/ikessoldiers/desmond-doss (accessed October 13, 2024)
