The pacifist who won the Congressional Medal of Honor.

[ProfessorWes]

That would be Desmond Doss. And he won it 72 years ago today, for the sorts of insane heroism that usually results in a posthumous award.

By God's grace alone, he survived, and triumphed.

http://thisainthell.us/blog/?p=68397

Like Doss, I was raised Seventh-Day Adventist, and Doss is one of my church's great heroes. I've made the personal choice not to be a pacifist - I believe that sometimes good and decent people must fight - but I can't fault the choice Doss made, and certainly not the courage of his convictions.

At the end of the article is a trailer for Mel Gibson's new movie about Doss, "Hacksaw Ridge." I think I might have to break down and go see this one in the theater . . .

From the comments: "The Stolen Valor wannabes cower in their corners in the face of real men like this." Yes.

 

[gramps]

I too was raised SDA. Desmond Doss came to our summer camps, and told his story. A very humble man who had physical problems the rest of his life secondary to the wounds he received. Yep, what a man! I don't know that Hollywood can to justice to Mr Doss, and the HELL he served in. Perhaps they can portray enough that the rest of the world will understand.
gramps

 

[graygun]

I saw the preview and figured that's who it's about.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

And he won it 72 years ago today, for the sorts of insane heroism that usually results in a posthumous award.

PW,
Just for the record and not to be a smart arsh. You DO NOT WIN the MOH the individual is awarded the MOH. You win a prize at a Fair :wink:

 

[DeletedMember275]

And Mr. Doss was the first, but not the only, conscientious objector to be awarded the MOH. The second was Thomas William Bennett, in Vietnam, the third was Joseph Guy LaPointe Jr., also in Vietnam. Both Mr. Bennett and Mr. LaPointe received the award posthumously.

 

[mjpchief]

Kenneth Michael Kay's was also a conscientious objecter and was awarded the CMH in Vietnam. Read the book Troubled Hero.

 

[Bob Wright]

And Mr. Doss was the first, but not the only, conscientious objector to be awarded the MOH.........................

Seems to me there was one Alvin York who was awarded the Medal from WW I.

Bob Wright

 

[gramps]

And Mr. Doss was the first, but not the only, conscientious objector to be awarded the MOH.........................

Seems to me there was one Alvin York who was awarded the Medal from WW I.

Bob Wright[/quote


Alvin York was not a concientuous objector. Alvin was awarded an MOH.
gramps

 

[Huhwhat?]

That would be Desmond Doss. And he won it 72 years ago today, for the sorts of insane heroism that usually results in a posthumous award.

By God's grace alone, he survived, and triumphed.

http://thisainthell.us/blog/?p=68397

Like Doss, I was raised Seventh-Day Adventist, and Doss is one of my church's great heroes. I've made the personal choice not to be a pacifist - I believe that sometimes good and decent people must fight - but I can't fault the choice Doss made, and certainly not the courage of his convictions.

At the end of the article is a trailer for Mel Gibson's new movie about Doss, "Hacksaw Ridge." I think I might have to break down and go see this one in the theater . . .

From the comments: "The Stolen Valor wannabes cower in their corners in the face of real men like this." Yes.

If Mel Gibson made it, it'll be completely historically inaccurate...

 

[Bob Wright]

And Mr. Doss was the first, but not the only, conscientious objector to be awarded the MOH.........................

Seems to me there was one Alvin York who was awarded the Medal from WW I.

Bob Wright[/quote


Alvin York was not a concientuous objector. Alvin was awarded an MOH.
gramps

York was indeed a conscientious objector, even when he did go into the Army there was some question of his ability to perform his duty. Even after the War he was not too sure that he ought to have accepted his medals. True, in his later years he sort of relen ted his original stand.

Incidentally, he and my uncle often appeared at American Legion functions afterward. My aunt was sort of "star struck" and relished being on stage with him.

Bob Wright

 

[blume357]

I'll have to agree that as far as I've learned York was a pacifist and had a hard time deciding if he should try and get out of serving... I think he ended up having to deal with the ultimate pacifist question... not if you will give up your life instead of killing someone else but are you willing to give up the lives of others.

 

[ProfessorWes]

And he won it 72 years ago today, for the sorts of insane heroism that usually results in a posthumous award.

PW,
Just for the record and not to be a smart arsh. You DO NOT WIN the MOH the individual is awarded the MOH. You win a prize at a Fair :wink:

Hmmm, good point. I stand corrected, sir.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

I'll have to agree that as far as I've learned York was a pacifist and had a hard time deciding if he should try and get out of serving... I think he ended up having to deal with the ultimate pacifist question... not if you will give up your life instead of killing someone else but are you willing to give up the lives of others.

Don't know where you read that.

From the day he registered for the draft until he returned from the war on May 29, 1919, York kept a diary of his activities. In his diary, York wrote that he refused to sign documents provided by his pastor seeking a discharge from the Army on religious grounds and he refused to sign similar documents provided by his mother asserting a claim of exemption as the sole support of his mother and siblings. He also disclaimed ever having been a conscientious objector.

During World War II, York attempted to re-enlist in the Army, however at fifty-four years of age, overweight near-diabetic, and with evidence of arthritis, he was denied enlistment as a combat soldier. Instead, he was commissioned as a major in the Army Signal Corps