When lunatics demand pardons for war criminals, I shall remember Desmond Doss

[struggle4progress]

The Courage of their Convictions: Three Conscientious Objectors and the Heroism that earned them the Medal of Honor

... The first and probably best known and most celebrated Conscientious Objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor, Private First Class Desmond T. Doss is credited with saving approximately 75 lives over a 23-day period beginning in late April in 1945, on Okinawa Island, Japan. Doss, a Seventh-day Adventist, wanted to serve both God and country, but objected to taking a life or taking up arms. He eventually served with the U.S. Army Medical Department (AMEDD) as a Company Aidman where he was attached to Company B of the 307th Infantry. As his troops neared the summit assaulting the 400-foot-high Maeda Escarpment, they were met with heavy enemy fire. Doss refused to seek cover and instead carried the injured men, one by one, to the edge of the escarpment. According to Doss, there he fashioned a rope into two slings using a knot he had learned years ago as a Junior Missionary Volunteer with his church and lowered each wounded soldier down to where they could be put on a stretcher and taken for treatment.

Doss performed several similar rescues during his tour. He continued providing aid to his wounded comrades in dangerous situations, managing to escape death on many occasions. Eventually, Doss’ legs were severely injured in a nearby grenade explosion. Instead of calling another aidman away from safe cover, Doss cared for his own injuries and waited five hours until a stretcher could reach him and deliver him to safety. However, when Doss identified a more critically wounded soldier, he crawled from the stretcher and instructed the carriers to first evacuate that soldier. While awaiting their return, Doss was hit again, this time causing a compound fracture in his arm. Taking up arms for the first time, Doss used a nearby rifle shaft as a splint for his arm and then crawled all the way to the aid station.

First Lieutenant Cecil L. Gornto, the platoon leader of the first platoon of Company B where Doss served as an aidman, said in his statement supporting Doss’ Medal of Honor: “I feel that I can state without reservation that the actions of this man were the most outstanding display of bravery that I have ever seen. …although [Doss] never carries a weapon, I have never seen a wounded man in a position too dangerous for him to go. The men of my platoon always had the feeling that they could depend on Doss to go to them regardless what happened or where.”

Doss survived the war and was presented with the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman on October 12, 1945.6 He passed away in 2006 ...

[Hermit-The-Prog]

1. k&r & there's a movie

Hacksaw Ridge, directed by Mel Gibson

[ProudProgressiveNow]

2. KR NT

[Karadeniz]

3. Wonderful story! Thanks for sharing!

[FeelingBlue]

4. Thanks

For sharing this. What a good man!!!

[Historic NY]

5. Okinawa was hell on earth...........

the defenders fought to almost the last. My father was in the invasion with the 902nd Field Artillery of the 77th Division, they were the last division to land but the first unit to face combat. More mental health issues came out of this battle. Thousands of bodies remained all over in the muck and mud, from the constant rains. Its been said the place had 'taste of death'. It was 81 days of combat. He had earned his point and was eligible to come home, as the rest began to prepare for the invasion of mainland Japan. He finally got home in Jan 1946. He was promptly elected fire chief. He never talked much about it other than to say it was the worst. Seven M-O-H were awarded during this battle, only one died during the battle. Doss was in 307th which was part of the 77th Division.