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Desmond T. Doss — the only person to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor for non-combat achievements in World War II and the first conscientious objector to receive the medal — died Thursday. He was 87. Doss, a longtime resident of Walker County, was born Feb. 7, 1919, in Lynchburg, Va. Doss was serving as a medic in the Army’s 77th Infantry Division on May 5, 1945, when he helped 75 wounded soldiers escape capture on the island of Okinawa under Japanese attack.
As a Seventh-day Adventist, Doss’ religious convictions required strict adherence to God’s law, particularly the Sixth Commandment, “Thou shalt not kill.”
But despite his objection to killing and war, Doss was a patriotic American who wanted to serve his country.
In April 1942, the slight, 5-foot-6-inch, 23-year-old enlisted and was given the Army’s 1-A-O conscientious objector status.
He refused to carry a weapon and to perform duties on Saturday, when the Adventists celebrate the Sabbath.
For his bravery Doss received the military’s highest award from President
Harry Truman on Oct. 12, 1945.
The Army had estimated the number of men Doss saved on that day in May at 100, though the humble Doss stated that it couldn’t have been more than 50. The Army decided to split the difference and put 75 on his citation.
In 2004, a documentary of Doss’ life, “The Conscientious Objector,” was released. The film has won well over a dozen film festival awards across the U.S.
Doss lived in Rising Fawn for nearly 30 years but moved to Piedmont, Ala., about two years ago to be closer to relatives.
Bryan Hall Jackson, a former LaFayette City Council member, met Doss in 1989 while working as the director of the National Medal of Honor Museum of Military History in Chattanooga. Doss was an honorary board member of the museum.
“He was a very special friend,” Jackson said. “He was the most patriotic man I’ve ever known, and for his small stature he stood tall.”
Patty Parks, current executive director of the Medal of Honor Museum, said Doss’ passing is a big loss.
“We have lost a soldier, a hero, a humanitarian and above all else a man of God,” Parks said. “To know that man is to love him. Desmond was bigger than any museum could ever contain. He will never, ever be forgotten.”
Jackson said that Doss was active with the JROTC program at LaFayette High School and spoke to the cadets on many occasions.
On July 10, 1990, the section of Ga. 2 between U.S. 27 and Ga. 193 in Walker County was named the Desmond T. Doss Medal of Honor Highway.
Doss was a Seventh-day Adventist member from childhood and Dr. Ed Wright, president of the Georgia-Cumberland Conference of the denomination, described him as a “real inspiration to our church and specifically several generations of young people. He was a very humble man, deeply convicted as to not bearing arms.”
Pastor John Swafford of Calhoun, a personal friend, said Doss and his wife, Francis, had been staying in Piedmont with her family.
A statement released by church officials said, “Doss never liked being called a conscientious objector. He preferred the term conscientious cooperator.”
Doss is survived by his wife Frances and son Desmond T. Doss Jr.
Funeral services will be Saturday, April 1, at the Seventh-day Adventist Chapel in Collegedale, Tenn. His burial will be April 3.
Heritage Funeral Home in Fort Oglethorpe is handling arrangements.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
