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#OTD20 | October 12, 1945

The Bravery of Desmond Doss: An Unarmed Hero in World War II

October 12, 1945: Conscientious objector Private Desmond Doss receives the Medal of Honor from President Truman.

Doss's commitment to his beliefs made him refuse to bear arms during the war. Instead, he served as a medical corpsman in the Pacific Theater.

Against all odds and without a weapon to defend himself, Doss saved the lives of 75 of his fellow soldiers during the Battle of Okinawa, exhibiting unmatched courage and resilience.

His actions epitomized the spirit of sacrifice, showing that one can be a hero without resorting to violence.

The Medal of Honor, presented to him by President Truman, stands testament to the incredible bravery displayed by an individual driven by faith and compassion.

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Additional Resources

Access more information from Media Rich Learning and curated off-site sources.

U.S. Army

Read "Pfc. Desmond Doss: The unlikely hero behind 'Hacksaw Ridge'" on the U.S. Army website.

Warfare History Network

Read about Pfc. Desmond Doss at the website of the Warfare History Network.

Desmond Doss Council

Learn more about the life and achievements Desmond Doss at the website of the Desmond Doss Council.

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