From the Calhoun Times:

Desmond T. Doss, Sr., the only conscientious objector to win the Congressional Medal of Honor during World War II, has died. He was 87 years old.

Doss never liked being called a conscientious objector. He preferred the term conscientious cooperator. Raised a Seventh-day Adventist, Doss did not believe in using a gun or killing because of the sixth commandment which states, “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13). Doss was a patriot however, and believed in serving his country.

…

During World War II, instead of accepting a deferment, Doss voluntarily joined the Army as a conscientious objector. Assigned to the 307th Infantry Division as a company medic he was harassed and ridiculed for his beliefs, yet he served with distinction and ultimately received the Congressional Medal of Honor on October 12, 1945 for his fearless acts of bravery.

From AP:

On the island of Okinawa, he carried 75 wounded soldiers through a fire-swept area to the edge of a 400-foot cliff and lowered them to safety, according to his citation.

Later, the medic braved enemy shelling to treat an artillery officer. He also crawled to a wounded soldier who had fallen 25 feet from the enemy’s position, rendered aid and carried the man 100 yards to safety while exposed to shooting.

During a night attack, he was seriously wounded in the legs by a grenade, his citation said. Five hours later, others began carrying him to safety, but he saw a more critically injured man and crawled off his stretcher, directing the medics to aid the other wounded man.

While awaiting their return, he was struck again. He bound a rifle stock to his shattered arm as a splint and crawled 300 yards to an aid station, the citation said.

Mr. Doss came from an era where being a “conscientious objector” didn’t involve holding a protest sign, burning our flag, or insulting our President, and actually did involve bravery, respecting your country, and honoring your fellow Americans.

Rest in peace, Mr. Doss. You were a true American hero.

1. Desmond T. Doss visited Broad Desmond T. Doss visited Broadview Academy (LaFox, IL) in 1962 for a weekend. He was the paragon for young Seventh-day Adventists males who would be called to serve in the US military in medical corps. Adventists were opposed to the taking of human life and refused to bear arms, but would serve as medics. His military service was exemplary of his faith that God truly watched over those who obeyed Him, even in the most dire of circumstances, and the power of prayer. He told us that one time in the heat of battle he encouraged many of those with him to pray to God for protection, and there was not one casualty that day.

   He wrote a paragraph in my Bible and included the text which he believed was God’s promise to guard those to believed in Him. He was an extremely humble human being, and an inspiration for others. His life was a testament to his belief. His legacy will always be a paradigm for others who seek to live their life according to God’s precepts, especially Seventh-day Adventists who will always call attention to his example.

   Michael M. Yugovich

   Comment by Michael M. Yugovich on Dec 3rd, 2006 @ 02:07

   
   

2. He Served Both Christ And Cou He Served Both Christ And Country

   And in the course of that service performed deeds of heroism so compelling that Desmond Doss was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Not bad for a pacifist who refused to carry a weapon out of a profound respect for…

   Comment by Rhymes With Right on Dec 3rd, 2006 @ 02:07

   
   

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