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Who was the only conscientious objector to ever receive the medal?
Desmond T. Doss
Private First Class Desmond T. Doss of Lynchburg, Virginia, is presented the Medal of Honor for outstanding bravery as a combat medic, the first conscientious objector in American history to receive the nation’s highest military award.
Why didn’t Desmond Doss carry a gun?
Doss refused to kill an enemy soldier or carry a weapon into combat because of his personal beliefs as a Seventh-day Adventist.
Where is the real Hacksaw Ridge in Okinawa?
Hacksaw Ridge is a hilled area above the ruins of Urasoe Castle. Totally destroyed during the fighting, the distinct castle walls and tombs of Ryukyu kings Eiso and Shonei have since been rebuilt.
How many conscientious objectors were there in Vietnam?
During the Vietnam War more than 170,000 men were officially recognized as conscientious objectors. Thousands of other young men resisted by burning their draft cards, serving jail sentences or leaving the country.
Did Harold Doss survive the war?
Doss was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Lindsey. He is survived by his wife, Hilda Doss; one daughter, Jeannie Foss of Frederick; grandchildren, Jodi, Jill and Brittany Foss, Jeff Jackson and Lisa Jackson Haberthur; great-grandchildren, Braden and Kaylie Harberthur.
Who saved Doss?
Doss refused. An estimated 75 men remained behind, too wounded to retreat under their own power. He would not leave them behind. Doss successfully rescued 75 men trapped at the top of the escarpment by lowering them with a special knot he knew.
What happened Desmond Doss?
Before being discharged from the Army in 1946, Desmond developed tuberculosis. At the age of 87, Corporal Desmond Thomas Doss died on March 23, 2006, after being hospitalized with difficulty breathing. He is buried in the National Cemetery, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
When did Desmond Doss join the US Army?
When did Desmond Doss join the U.S. Army? In researching the Hacksaw Ridge true story, we learned that Desmond Doss was drafted into the United States army in April 1942. He could have gotten a deferment because he worked as a ship joiner at a shipyard in Newport News, Virginia, but he wanted to serve his country.
How did Desmond Doss get to the White House?
On April 1, 1942, Desmond Doss joined the United States Army. Little did he realize that three and a half years later, he would be standing on the White House lawn, receiving the nation’s highest award for his bravery and courage under fire.
Who gave Desmond Doss the Medal of Honor?
Promoted after Okinawa, then-Corporal Desmond Doss shakes hands with President Harry S. Truman after receiving the Medal of Honor. Photo courtesy of the US National Archives. On October 12, 1945, President Harry S. Truman presented Doss with the Medal of Honor in a ceremony on the White House lawn.
How many lives did Desmond Doss save?
Discover the inspiring tale of Desmond Doss, the World War II medic who saved 75 lives all while risking his own. Wikimedia CommonsDesmond Doss Wikimedia CommonsMarines in combat during the Battle of Okinawa. May 1945. Wikimedia CommonsMarines destroy a Japanese cave during the Battle of Okinawa. May 1945.