Who Was The Real Desmond Doss? Facts & Legacy Revealed!

Could a man truly be a hero without ever wielding a weapon? The resounding answer, etched in the annals of history, is a resounding YES, embodied by Desmond Doss, a United States Army medic whose valor and unwavering principles redefined battlefield heroism.

Desmond Dosss name resonates far beyond the battlefields of World War II. He wasn't a general strategizing troop movements, nor an infantryman charging into enemy fire. Instead, he was a medic, a healer amidst the chaos, armed with nothing but his faith, his medical kit, and an unyielding commitment to saving lives. He earned renown for his extraordinary bravery and profound compassion, most notably demonstrated during the brutal fighting on Okinawa, all while steadfastly refusing to carry a weapon.

Born in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1919, Desmond Thomas Doss's early life was steeped in the teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. His upbringing instilled in him a deep reverence for life and a firm belief in the sanctity of the Sixth Commandment, "Thou shalt not kill." These convictions would later shape his monumental decision to become a conscientious objector when drafted into the United States Army in April 1942. Doss's resolve to adhere to his moral compass never wavered, despite facing immense pressure and derision from his peers. He was assigned as a medic to the 307th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division.

Category Information
Full Name Desmond Thomas Doss
Date of Birth February 7, 1919
Place of Birth Lynchburg, Virginia, USA
Date of Death March 23, 2006
Place of Death Piedmont, Alabama, USA
Religion Seventh-day Adventist
Military Branch United States Army
Rank Private First Class
Unit 307th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division
Battles/Wars World War II (Guam, Philippines, Okinawa)
Awards Medal of Honor, Bronze Star Medal (3), Purple Heart (3)
Spouse(s) Dorothy Schutte (m. 1942; d. 1991), Frances May Duman (m. 1993)
Children Desmond Thomas Doss Jr.
Website Desmond Doss Foundation
Desmond Doss, the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of

Desmond Doss, the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of

'Hacksaw Ridge' review Lynchburg's Desmond Doss gets his due in new

'Hacksaw Ridge' review Lynchburg's Desmond Doss gets his due in new

Desmond T. Doss with his wife Dorothy · Santa Clara University Digital

Desmond T. Doss with his wife Dorothy · Santa Clara University Digital

Detail Author:

  • Name : Prof. Georgiana Kreiger
  • Username : rosie.koch
  • Email : tamia.deckow@hotmail.com
  • Birthdate : 1991-10-08
  • Address : 88746 August Shore Suite 570 Fernandofort, ID 48306-4253
  • Phone : +1-540-338-1478
  • Company : Kohler-Wisoky
  • Job : Telecommunications Equipment Installer
  • Bio : Exercitationem deserunt qui quod voluptatem velit perspiciatis quae. Qui qui aspernatur magnam consequatur iste molestiae assumenda. Neque consequatur aut ut dolor et perspiciatis nisi omnis.

Socials

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/eloisa4515
  • username : eloisa4515
  • bio : Sit id at et deleniti. Ut fugiat et vero ut aut minus. Qui sunt id maiores voluptatem.
  • followers : 6999
  • following : 1448

facebook:

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/eloisa_blick
  • username : eloisa_blick
  • bio : Et corrupti officia veniam quaerat non qui consequatur. Quia sit repellendus aut aut omnis aperiam.
  • followers : 2756
  • following : 774

tiktok:

linkedin: