Desmond Doss

War Hero

Birthday February 7, 1919

Birth Sign Aquarius

Birthplace Lynchburg, VA

DEATH DATE Mar 23, 2006 (87)

#14118 Most Popular

About

Combat medic of the United States Army during World War II who distinguished himself during the Battle of Okinawa. He saved 75 wounded infantrymen while refusing to kill an enemy soldier or carry a weapon into combat due to his Seventh-day Aventist beliefs.

Before Fame

He helped support his family during the Great Depression by working at the Lynchburg Lumber Company.

Trivia

He was the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor, and the only conscientious objector to receive the medal during World War II.

Family Life

He was born the son of a carpenter and homemaker and raised alongside siblings named Audrey and Harold. He married Dorothy Schutte with whom he had one son named Desmond "Tommy" Doss Jr. He later married Frances Duman after Dorothy passed away in a car accident.

Associated With

He was portrayed by Andrew Garfield in the Mel Gibson-directed film Hacksaw Ridge.