Kathy Pinna
Desmond Doss Jr. tells the story of visiting "Hacksaw Ridge"
Written by Josh Roe on Wednesday, May 6th, 2020:
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — 75 years ago Desmond Doss saved 75 to 100 soldiers off the edge of Hacksaw Ridge in the Battle of Okinawa in World War II.
The exact number of men he rescued is unknown. Mr. Doss said it was close to 50, but some historians have said it could be as many as 120.
The story has been told in books, a documentary, and major motion picture called Hacksaw Ridge.
The events are legendary. Doss didn't carry a weapon, and risked his life time and time again to save his fellow soldiers.
"But there was a lot more to this story than that," Desmond Doss Jr. told me from his home in Washington State. "My father had already been on Guam and Leyte long before he ever came to Okinawa. He had already received a Bronze star with Oak Leaf Clusters. This was just another day in the office for him."
Desmond Doss Jr. says last year on May 4th he spent the night on top of the Maeda Escarpment also known as Hacksaw Ridge.
"That was an incredible privilege to go back and stand on that very ground where my father had been 74 years prior," Doss said. "It was the most emotional thing that you could conceivably imagine."
When he went few people knew he was going, and he's only told the story a few times.
He said it's impossible to describe the feelings he felt standing on the Maeda Escarpment.
"I stood on the spot where my father was. You know ground soaked in blood some of it my own father's blood," Doss said. "No you can't describe that." Mr Doss says he is so happy people know the story of what his father did in WWII because of the books and the movie and the exhibit at the Medal of Honor Heritage Center in downtown Chattanooga. He is also honored to continue to share his fathers story. A humble man carried by his faith who risked his life to save others over and over and over again. "I often get asked that question," Doss said. "What made your father do what he did? and the answer is pretty simple. It just who he was."
Desmond Doss lived much of his life in Rising Fawn, Georgia. Desmond Doss JR spent part of his childhood there as well.
We talked to the folks at the Medal of Honor heritage center they say they are hopeful to reopen by the end of the month. When they do open the plan is to be at 50 percent capacity and are currently working on those plans now. They are working to create a visitor flow and social distancing plan and installing additional hand sanitizing stations throughout the facility.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — 75 years ago Desmond Doss saved 75 to 100 soldiers off the edge of Hacksaw Ridge in the Battle of Okinawa in World War II.
The exact number of men he rescued is unknown. Mr. Doss said it was close to 50, but some historians have said it could be as many as 120.
The story has been told in books, a documentary, and major motion picture called Hacksaw Ridge.
The events are legendary. Doss didn't carry a weapon, and risked his life time and time again to save his fellow soldiers.
"But there was a lot more to this story than that," Desmond Doss Jr. told me from his home in Washington State. "My father had already been on Guam and Leyte long before he ever came to Okinawa. He had already received a Bronze star with Oak Leaf Clusters. This was just another day in the office for him."
Desmond Doss Jr. says last year on May 4th he spent the night on top of the Maeda Escarpment also known as Hacksaw Ridge.
"That was an incredible privilege to go back and stand on that very ground where my father had been 74 years prior," Doss said. "It was the most emotional thing that you could conceivably imagine."
When he went few people knew he was going, and he's only told the story a few times.
He said it's impossible to describe the feelings he felt standing on the Maeda Escarpment.
"I stood on the spot where my father was. You know ground soaked in blood some of it my own father's blood," Doss said. "No you can't describe that." Mr Doss says he is so happy people know the story of what his father did in WWII because of the books and the movie and the exhibit at the Medal of Honor Heritage Center in downtown Chattanooga. He is also honored to continue to share his fathers story. A humble man carried by his faith who risked his life to save others over and over and over again. "I often get asked that question," Doss said. "What made your father do what he did? and the answer is pretty simple. It just who he was."
Desmond Doss lived much of his life in Rising Fawn, Georgia. Desmond Doss JR spent part of his childhood there as well.
We talked to the folks at the Medal of Honor heritage center they say they are hopeful to reopen by the end of the month. When they do open the plan is to be at 50 percent capacity and are currently working on those plans now. They are working to create a visitor flow and social distancing plan and installing additional hand sanitizing stations throughout the facility.
