Desmond Doss Statue, Biography, Wikipedia, Wiki, Wife, Brother, Farther, Family

Desmond Doss Statue, Biography, Wikipedia, Wiki, Wife, Brother, Farther, Family -: Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector during World War II, became a hero by saving lives on the battlefield without carrying a weapon. His remarkable story of courage and compassion has left an enduring legacy.

Desmond Doss Statue, Biography, Wikipedia, Wiki, Wife, Brother, Farther, Family -: Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector during World War II, became a hero by saving lives on the battlefield without carrying a weapon. His remarkable story of courage and compassion has left an enduring legacy.

Desmond Doss Bio

Full NameDesmond Thomas Doss
Birth DateFebruary 7, 1919
BirthplaceLynchburg, Virginia, USA
ReligionSeventh-day Adventist
Marital StatusMarried to Dorothy Schutte (August 17, 1942)
ChildrenOne son, Desmond Thomas Doss Jr. (Born February 2, 1946)
Military ServiceUnited States Army, Combat Medic
Conscientious Objector StatusRegistered as a conscientious objector due to religious beliefs
Medal of HonorAwarded the Medal of Honor for actions during the Battle of Okinawa on October 12, 1945
LegacyCelebrated as a symbol of courage, nonviolence, and selfless service
Death DateMarch 23, 2006
Notable Film“Hacksaw Ridge” (2016) – A Hollywood film based on his life and actions

Who is Desmond Doss?

Desmond Doss was an American combat medic and conscientious objector who served during World War II. He is best known for his remarkable actions on the battlefield, particularly during the Battle of Okinawa, which earned him the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration in the United States.

Desmond Doss was a Seventh-day Adventist and a pacifist who refused to carry a weapon or take a life due to his religious beliefs. Despite facing significant challenges and opposition from his fellow soldiers and superiors, he persisted in his determination to serve as a medic without carrying a weapon.

During the Battle of Okinawa, Doss exhibited extraordinary bravery and compassion. He single-handedly rescued 75 wounded soldiers from behind enemy lines, often under heavy enemy fire, and lowered them to safety using a system he improvised with ropes. His actions saved numerous lives and inspired those around him.

Desmond Doss’s story gained widespread recognition, and it was later adapted into a Hollywood film titled “Hacksaw Ridge,” directed by Mel Gibson and released in 2016. The film portrayed his experiences and acts of heroism during the Battle of Okinawa.

Desmond Doss’s commitment to his beliefs and his bravery in the face of danger made him a symbol of courage and selflessness, and he remains a respected figure in American military history. He passed away in 2006.

Desmond Doss Career

Desmond Doss was born on February 7, 1919, in Lynchburg, Virginia, USA. He grew up in a Seventh-day Adventist family, which played a significant role in shaping his beliefs and principles. Doss’s religious faith instilled in him a strong commitment to nonviolence and a deep respect for the sanctity of life.

Doss’s career and life story became most notable during his service in World War II. Here is an overview of his bio and military career:

  • Conscientious Objector Status: When World War II broke out, Doss registered as a conscientious objector due to his religious beliefs that forbade him from carrying weapons or taking another person’s life. He believed in the Seventh-day Adventist principle of keeping the Sabbath holy, which meant not engaging in any form of violence.
  • Joining the Army: Despite his conscientious objector status, Doss still felt a strong desire to serve his country. He enlisted in the United States Army as a medic, believing that he could contribute to the war effort by saving lives rather than taking them.
  • Training and Challenges: Doss faced numerous challenges during his training, including harassment and discrimination from fellow soldiers and some of his superiors. Many doubted his ability to serve effectively without carrying a weapon.
  • Battle of Okinawa: Doss’s actions during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945 catapulted him to national prominence. Despite intense combat and enemy fire, he displayed incredible courage and compassion by repeatedly risking his life to rescue wounded soldiers. He used a makeshift litter to lower them down a steep escarpment to safety. His actions saved at least 75 lives during this battle.
  • Medal of Honor: For his extraordinary bravery and selflessness, Desmond Doss was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman on October 12, 1945. He became the first conscientious objector to receive this highest military honor.
  • Life After the War: Doss returned to the United States as a hero. He suffered injuries during the war and spent time recovering in hospitals. After the war, he worked various jobs, including carpentry and sales. He also got involved in his church and community.
  • Legacy: Desmond Doss’s story became the basis for the documentary “The Conscientious Objector” and the Hollywood film “Hacksaw Ridge.” His life and actions continue to inspire people worldwide, and he is celebrated as a symbol of courage, commitment to one’s principles, and selfless service.

Desmond Doss passed away on March 23, 2006, but his legacy lives on, serving as a testament to the power of faith, conviction, and compassion in the face of adversity.

Desmond Doss Family & Siblings

Desmond Doss was born to William Thomas Doss and Bertha Edward Doss. He grew up in a family that adhered to the Seventh-day Adventist faith, which played a significant role in shaping his beliefs and principles, including his commitment to nonviolence.

Desmond Doss had several siblings. He was one of two sons in his family, and he had three sisters. His siblings were:

  • Harold Doss: Harold was Desmond’s younger brother. While not as well-known as Desmond, he also served in World War II as a medic and shared similar beliefs about nonviolence.
  • Aude Doss: Aude was one of Desmond’s sisters.
  • Lorraine Doss: Lorraine was another of Desmond’s sisters.
  • Audrey Doss: Audrey was Desmond’s youngest sister.

Desmond Doss’s upbringing in a close-knit Seventh-day Adventist family influenced his deeply held religious convictions and his decision to become a conscientious objector during World War II. His family’s support and the teachings of his faith played a crucial role in his determination to serve as a medic without carrying a weapon and his commitment to saving lives on the battlefield.

Desmond Doss Children & Wife

Desmond Doss married Dorothy Schutte on August 17, 1942. Dorothy was a nurse, and their meeting and subsequent marriage occurred during the early years of World War II. Their marriage endured through the challenges of Doss’s military service as a conscientious objector and combat medic.

Desmond and Dorothy Doss had one child together, a son named Desmond Thomas Doss Jr. Desmond Jr. was born on February 2, 1946, after World War II had ended. While Desmond Doss Sr. became famous for his heroic actions during the war, his wife Dorothy and their son Desmond Jr. supported him throughout his life.

Desmond Doss Jr. has continued to preserve and share his father’s legacy, often speaking about his father’s experiences and values, particularly Desmond Sr.’s commitment to nonviolence and saving lives during the war. The Doss family’s story has inspired many, and Desmond Doss Sr.’s contributions to both his family and his country continue to be celebrated and remembered.

Desmond Doss Social Media Accounts

Conclusion

In conclusion, Desmond Doss was a remarkable individual who demonstrated extraordinary courage, compassion, and commitment to his principles during World War II. He saved at least 75 lives as a combat medic during the Battle of Okinawa, including the lives of both American and Japanese soldiers. His refusal to carry a weapon was rooted in his deeply held religious beliefs as a Seventh-day Adventist, which emphasized nonviolence and the sanctity of life.

After the war, Desmond Doss lived a relatively quiet life, working in various jobs and remaining active in his church and community. His legacy continues to inspire people around the world as a symbol of selflessness and unwavering dedication to one’s beliefs. Desmond Doss received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions and is remembered as one of the most celebrated conscientious objectors in American military history.

FAQ

How many lives did Desmond Doss save in total?

Desmond Doss saved at least 75 lives during the Battle of Okinawa.

Did Desmond Doss save the Japanese?

Yes, Desmond Doss also saved the lives of Japanese soldiers during the Battle of Okinawa. He treated wounded Japanese soldiers with the same care and compassion he showed to his fellow Americans.

What happened to Desmond Doss after the war?

After the war, Desmond Doss worked various jobs, including carpentry and sales. He remained active in his church and community, and his heroic actions during the war continued to be celebrated. He passed away on March 23, 2006.

Why did Desmond Doss refuse to carry a weapon?

Desmond Doss refused to carry a weapon due to his deeply held religious beliefs as a Seventh-day Adventist. He was a conscientious objector who believed in the Sixth Commandment, “Thou shalt not kill,” and was committed to nonviolence and the sanctity of life. His faith and principles led him to serve as a medic instead, where he could save lives without taking them.

how many men did Desmond Doss save?

During the Battle of Okinawa in World War II, Desmond Doss saved at least 75 wounded soldiers’ lives, despite being in the midst of intense combat. His heroic actions earned him the Medal of Honor and made him a celebrated figure in American military history.

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