Thursday, April 06, 2006

Desmond T. Doss, Sr.

I would like to honor the passing of Desmond T. Doss, Sr. Doss is the only conscientious objector to receive a Medal of Honor in World War II. Doss never carried a gun, and served as a medic. He earned his Medal of Honor on Okinawa. According to the news story:

While under enemy fire on the island of Okinawa, Doss carried 75 wounded soldiers to the edge of a 400-foot cliff and lowered them to safety, according to his citation.

During a later attack, he was seriously wounded in the legs by a grenade. According to the citation, as he was being carried to safety, he saw a more critically injured man and crawled off his stretcher, directing the medics to help the other wounded man.

Doss' body was carried to the Chattanooga National Cemetery by a horse drawn hearse. The flag covered casket was buried with a 21 gun salute as military helicopters flew in formation overhead.

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