Desmond T. Doss

Private First Class DesmondT. Doss (http://www.vetsforchrist.net/web_images/dossdesmondt_usarmy.jpg)

“The ordinary man is involved in action, the hero acts. An immense difference.” (Henry Miller). A hero - a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. Desmond T. Doss, a great example for the quote above; not only had he been involved in the action of World War II, but he acted by saving others lives - being brave the entire way. Desmond joined the army at the age of 26; he operated as a Medical Corpsman during World War II and served as a Private First Class. He served as the most loyal and bravest soldier in his Infantry Division, performing all he could to save lives. Born in Lynchburg, Virginia, the Ten Commandments lead his war decisions, being a Seventh-day Adventist. Desmond Doss, a medic of the 77th Infantry Division, endangered his life to save his fellow soldiers. A courageous and daring man, Doss held true to his beliefs in the war.

Desmond Doss in his older years with a Bible. (http://www.cma.8m.net/doss_portrait.jpg)

Doss managed to stay faithful to his beliefs, even while being criticized about them. The first night Doss joined the army, he prayed with God, kneeling beside his bunk, and listening to all the taunts and boots thrown his way (Sterner). Even though Doss was disrespected because of his religion, he always followed it staying close with God. He stayed true to his faith rather than listen to what others had to say and stray away from what he believed. When Desmond had first entered the Army he told his commanding leader he refused to work or train on the Lord’s Sabbath day, Saturday, and didn’t believe in wielding a gun (Sterner). Again, Doss was not famous within his division for his beliefs; his commanding officer had even tried to remove Doss from the army stating he was unstable. Desmond, remaining strong, said he was not unstable, just refused to carry guns, kill, and just wanted to serve as an army medic. Well, what he said was enough to keep him in and he was able to serve as a medic. Desmond Doss stayed devoted to his religion and perspective on life, even while being taunted and mocked by his fellow soldiers.

The cliff where Doss' company fought, him on top. (http://www.homeofheroes.com/profiles/doss_escarpment2.jpg)

Doss placed his life in danger to aid the soldiers who were wounded in battles he partook in. Desmond Doss was participating in a battle, where soldiers were being heavily fired upon: “Time after time at Leyte Doss braved enemy fire to go to the wounded, and remove them to safety” (Sterner). Doss cared and valued other lives as much as his. No matter what the situation, Desmond would always run out in the middle of crossfire to care for soldiers. Doss’s company entered the battle in Okinawa: “Private Doss remained with the wounded…he refused to seek cover, carrying them, one by one, in the face of enemy fire” (Goldstein). This demonstrates the immense risks Doss took to care for the other soldiers. Even though he never carried a gun, he still held a major part in this war. Although his fellow soldiers criticized and mocked Doss, he still did the best he could to save their lives.

Doss recieving the Medal of Honor award. (http://www.incrediblepeople.com/image/doss+harry%20truman.jpg)

Despite his job as a Medical Corpsman, he showed great courage and boldness during World War II. Doss’s company had been under Japanese fire in the battle held at Okinawa, on the peak of a cliff: “But Doss stayed at the exposed summit for hours, lowered 75 wounded men down the rock walls to safety before descending himself, haggard, dirty, miraculously alive.” Even though Doss was a medic, he was one of the bravest men in his company. Even when the company leader commanded Desmond to get off of the summit, he stayed there, vulnerable to enemy fire. Doss was the savior of about 50 other soldiers. He had made a mechanism to lower all of the men atop the summit to the bottom of the cliff; he wouldn’t come down until his job was done, not injured. Because of this battle, Doss was the first person to earn the Medal of Honor without wielding a weapon. The battle was also another reason why a bunch of other people think of Doss as their hero. After the battle at Okinawa, Desmond had been injured by a grenade: “While he was finally being carried off on a litter, he spotted a soldier who seemed worse off. He leaped off the litter, directing his aid men to help the other soldier.” (Goldstein) This is an aspect of why Doss was a courageous soldier and man - he was badly injured, but still brave enough to leave himself vulnerable to help another soldier in need. Doss is one of few people that will brave death to help others in need, not caring about what will happen to him but what will benefit others. Doss, a brave man, risked bolting into enemy fire, helped others when he needed help himself, and always stayed brave and courageous during battle.

Desmond Doss died on March 23, 2006 and will be r (http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarking/display/47811872-e42e-4aab-b88e-e99c51306b4a.jpg)

Private Doss was an extremely inspirational person; he cared for others lives as much as he did his own, performing everything in his power to save them. Even though many others made fun of his religion and beliefs, he always followed them, never straying away from what he believed in. Doss always helped other soldiers by risking his life, being extremely courageous and brave, and never letting the criticism of others bring him down; the reason why many people - the soldiers he saved and their families - consider Desmond T. Doss their hero.