The Religion Network
Editorial (archived)
The Unlikeliest War Hero
(2006)
Desmond T. Doss died this year at the age of 87. A World War II hero, his actions
served his country in the highest sense. On October 12, 1945, Doss received from
President Harry Truman this country’s highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor. It
was a fitting tribute to a man of extraordinary courage. But Doss also lived a life of
faith with extraordinary completeness. The combination of these elements combined
in one man to form a persuasive argument for religious tolerance.
Was Doss first a hero or first a man of faith? The attributes frequently complement
one another. At the very least, they are not mutually exclusive. However, it’s not
unusual for someone to possess one quality and not the other. To own both in such
large amounts is what made Doss unique.
Heroes risk their lives to save the lives of others. Hollywood’s wartime propaganda
films in the ‘40s portrayed its World War II heroes as brawny, square-jawed men.
Doss was a slight man, but every pound of him was heavy with heroism. He proved
that when he put the lives of at least 75 men ahead of his own in the spring of 1945.
Doss was an Army medic, a PFC, when the 1st Battalion of the 77th Infantry division
moved onto the island of Okinawa.
Near the beginning of May, he was part of an assault on a 400-foot jagged
escarpment called Maeda. As US troops gained the summit, they came under heavy
fire from the Japanese. Their casualties mounted and the battalion was driven back.
But Doss refused to leave behind the wounded men who were stranded at the
summit. Without seeking cover, he stayed and one by one, lowered the wounded
down the face of cliff, using a tree stump and a rope. Doss later said that as he eased
each man over the side, he just kept praying that the Lord would let him rescue one
more. The Army wanted to recognize his valor by crediting him with 100 lives. Doss
demurred, saying it couldn’t have been more than 50. A compromise was reached:
the official number would be 75.
The Medal of Honor Citation includes several heroic incidents. It concludes with this
one: On 21 May, in a night attack on high ground near Shuri, he remained in exposed
territory while the rest of his company took cover, fearlessly risking the chance that he
would be mistaken for an infiltrating Japanese and giving aid to the injured until he
was himself seriously wounded in the legs by the explosion of a grenade. Rather than
call another aid man from cover, he cared for his own injuries and waited 5 hours
before litter bearers reached him and started carrying him to cover. The trio was
caught in an enemy tank attack and Pfc. Doss, seeing a more critically wounded man
nearby, crawled off the litter; and directed the bearers to give their first attention to the
other man. Awaiting the littler bearers’ return, he was again struck, this time suffering
a compound fracture of one arm. With magnificent fortitude he bound a rifle stock to
his shattered arm as a splint and then crawled 300 yards over rough terrain to the aid
station.
Through his outstanding bravery and unflinching determination in the face of
desperately dangerous conditions, Pfc. Doss saved the lives of many soldiers. His
name became a symbol throughout the 77th Infantry Division for outstanding gallantry
far above and beyond the call of duty.
As a result of his wounds, Doss spent a total of nearly six years in the hospital. In
addition to his battlefield injuries, he also had contracted tuberculosis, which
eventually cost him a lung and five ribs. Doss began to lose his hearing and was
totally deaf by 1976. (continued...)The Medal of Honor Citation includes several heroic
incidents. It concludes with this one: On 21 May, in a night attack on high ground
near Shuri, he remained in exposed territory while the rest of his company took
cover, fearlessly risking the chance that he would be mistaken for an infiltrating
Japanese and giving aid to the injured until he was himself seriously wounded in
the legs by the explosion of a grenade. Rather than call another aid man from
cover, he cared for his own injuries and waited 5 hours before litter bearers reached
him and started carrying him to cover. The trio was caught in an enemy tank attack
and Pfc. Doss, seeing a more critically wounded man nearby, crawled off the litter;
and directed the bearers to give their first attention to the other man. Awaiting the
littler bearers’ return, he was again struck, this time suffering a compound fracture of
one arm. With magnificent fortitude he bound a rifle stock to his shattered arm as a
splint and then crawled 300 yards over rough terrain to the aid station.
Through his outstanding bravery and unflinching determination in the face of desperately
dangerous conditions, Pfc. Doss saved the lives of many soldiers. His name became a
symbol throughout the 77th Infantry Division for outstanding gallantry far above and beyond
the call of duty.
As a result of his wounds, Doss spent a total of nearly six years in the hospital. In
addition to his battlefield injuries, he also had contracted tuberculosis, which
eventually cost him a lung and five ribs. Doss began to lose his hearing and was
totally deaf by 1976.
It may shock you to learn that Desmond T. Doss, a Seventh-day Adventist, was a
conscientious objector. As an adherent he practiced nonviolence.
It’s fair to assume that he was familiar with the writings of Ellen White, one of the
church’s prophets. She wrote during the Civil War, “The fourth precept of (the Ten
Commandments) says, ‘Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy;’ the sixth says,
‘Thou shalt not kill.’ But in the case of drafting, the government assumes the
responsibility of the violation of the law of God, and it would be madness to
resist…We are at present enjoying the protection of our civil and religious rights, by
the best government under heaven…It is Christ-like to honor every good law of our
land.” It’s a multifaceted response to a difficult religious dilemma. Trying to implement
it requires a deep understanding of moral complexity and the ability to
compartmentalize one’s actions.
Twenty-three-year-old Doss enlisted after Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7,
1941. He was accompanied by his minister, who attempted to establish Doss as a
non-combatant. The officer in charge informed them there was no such thing, but
there was the category of conscientious objector. Doss resisted. He wanted to serve
his country in uniform, salute the flag and be an integral part of the war effort. But he
would not, could not participate in acts of violence. Finally, in order to serve without
facing court martial, Doss agreed to be classified a 1-A-O Conscientious Objector.
As a Seventh-day Adventist, Doss wouldn’t work on Saturdays, eat meat nor carry a
gun. Obviously, this did not endear him to the other soldiers. They ridiculed and
taunted him. Some threw their boots at him and cursed him as he read his Bible. One
soldier threatened personally to kill him as soon as they got into combat. His
commanding officer tried to have him discharged as unfit for military service, but
Doss fought the attempt. Despite the hostility, Doss calmly persevered. When the
men finally walked onto the battlefield they discovered the mettle of this quiet oddball.
One can’t help but wonder: Was one of the men he lowered down the Maeda
escarpment someone who previously had cursed him? Did one of those who so
despised Doss safely return home from the war precisely because of him? Did the
men who threw their boots at him swallow in shame as they witnessed his heroism?
Later, did they talk in hushed tones, musing if it was his faith that lent him such
courage?
A critical point to remember is that if everyone in this country had refused to take up
arms in the 1700’s, Americans would still be subjects of the British crown. In the case
of World War II, probably all of Europe would be speaking German today. History
teaches us: a society that enjoys freedom must be willing to commit to its defense.
However, Doss’ story demonstrates that religious tolerance literally can be a matter of
life and death. Those soldiers who reviled his religious beliefs gravely misjudged
what he could contribute. Blind prejudice could have cost American lives.
Society is grappling with the question of religious tolerance. Does social tolerance
mean that all signs of religion must be removed from society’s sight? What about the
freedom of religious expression? Should society concern itself more with religious
freedom or with the desire not to offend those who do not practice religion? Is it
correct to view evidence of religious expression as offensive? Must not true diversity
include evidence of religious worship? How did we conclude that the definition of
“inclusive" means “secular?”
We can draw from the example of Doss’ life that society is improved by choosing not
to be offended by the practice of religion. At the very least, we can live the Golden
Rule,a rule that resonates throughout all religious and morality codes. At its most
basic level it means: Let’s be careful at whom we swear and throw our boots. Even if
they aren’t like us, they bear their own special value.
Let’s resolve to treat others with the same respect we desire from them. It's a fitting
way to remember Desmond Doss.
----The Religion Network
