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Desmond Thomas Doss 1919 - 2006

Desmond Thomas Doss of Piedmont, Calhoun County, AL was born on February 7, 1919 in Lynchburg, Virginia United States to William Doss and Bertha E. (Oliver) Doss. Desmond Doss had siblings Harold Doss and Audrey (Doss) Millner. He married Dorothy (Schutte) Doss in 1942, and they were married until Dorothy's death on November 17, 1991. They had a child Desmond Thomas Doss Jr.. He also married Frances (Duman) Doss. He and Frances May (Sherman) Doss married in 1993, and they were married until Desmond's death on March 23, 2006.

Desmond Thomas Doss

Piedmont, Calhoun County, AL 36272

February 7, 1919

Lynchburg, Virginia, United States

March 23, 2006

Piedmont, Alabama, United States

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Desmond Thomas Doss Desmond Doss (1919 - 2006)

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Desmond Thomas Doss' History: 1919 - 2006

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Introduction

Desmond Thomas Doss was an American hero, a devout Christian, and a model of courage and selflessness. He was born on February 7, 1919 in Lynchburg, Virginia to parents William Thomas Doss (1893-1989) and Bertha Edward Oliver (1899-1983). He had two siblings; Audrey Wyatt Doss (1916-2003) and Harold Edward Doss (1922-2007). Doss grew up in poverty and left school after just one year of high school. Despite his lack of formal education, Doss was a skilled worker and held a variety of jobs throughout his life, including carpenter's assistant, blacksmith, and mechanic. However, it was his service in the United States Army during World War II that earned Doss his place in history. As a conscientious objector, Doss refused to carry a weapon or participate in any act of violence. Despite facing ridicule and opposition from his fellow soldiers and superiors, Doss proved himself to be a brave and dedicated soldier, earning the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Okinawa. He also saved (by his count 50, by the Army's count 75) men in the Battle of Hacksaw Ridge. For more information and a number of photos highlighting this man's life see Desmond Doss The Real Life Hero of Hacksaw Ridge. After the war, Doss returned to civilian life, where he continued to live by his faith and his principles of non-violence and compassion. He worked as a barber, a salesman, and a maintenance mechanic at a shipbuilding company. Doss also became a popular speaker and advocate for veterans' issues, traveling around the country to share his experiences and his message of peace.
02/7

1919

Birthday

February 7, 1919

Birthdate

Lynchburg, Virginia United States

Birthplace

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Ethnicity & Family History

He was white. His father William Thomas Doss was born on September 17, 1893 in Appomattox County, Virginia. His mother was born on February 26, 1899 in Amherst County, Virginia. Doss grew up in poverty, and his family struggled to make ends meet. He had a difficult childhood, and his father was abusive towards him and his mother. Despite these challenges, Doss remained a kind and compassionate person, and he was known for his generosity and his willingness to help others.
Nationality & Locations

Desmond was born and raised in Lynchburg, Lynchburg City, Virginia, United States of America. He lived there until he enlisted in the military. After his time in service, he moved to Apopka, Florida, USA in the 1960's. He passed away in Piedmont, Calhoun County, Alabama, United States of America.
Early Life & Education

At the time of his enlistment, he had completed 1 year of high school.
Religious Beliefs

Desmond Thomas Doss was a devout member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which played a significant role in his life and his beliefs. One of the core beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the principle of non-violence and the sanctity of human life. This belief was central to Doss's decision to become a conscientious objector during World War II, as he believed that taking a human life was against his religious beliefs. See Desmond Doss' Bible that he had through his military service. Throughout his life, Doss remained deeply committed to his faith, and he continued to attend church and read the Bible regularly. He was known for his strong moral convictions and his dedication to his beliefs, even in the face of adversity.
Military Service

Desmond Thomas Doss was a United States Army soldier who served during World War II as a combat medic. He is most well-known for his incredible acts of bravery and heroism during the Battle of Okinawa, which earned him the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. At the age of 21, Desmond Doss registered for the draft on October 16th, 1940, in Newport News, Virginia. At the time, he was employed by C.W. Hancock and resided in Newport News. According to his draft registration card, Desmond was 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighed 145 pounds, had a light complexion, brown hair, and blue eyes. His next of kin was listed as his father, William Thomas Doss. On April 1st, 1942, Desmond enlisted in the United States Army at Camp Lee, Virginia. He was single and without dependents at the time of his enlistment. Despite being a conscientious objector and a Seventh-day Adventist who refused to bear arms, he still wanted to serve his country as a medic. He faced significant opposition and discrimination from his fellow soldiers and commanders, who believed that he was a liability in combat. Desmond was assigned service number 33158036 and was inducted as a Selectee, a type of enlisted man. He was part of the Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA and was a Private in rank. He later achieved the rank of Corporal while serving in the Army during World War II. Despite the challenges, Doss remained committed to his beliefs and his duty as a medic. He trained hard and became skilled in treating wounds and evacuating injured soldiers from the battlefield. He served in the Pacific Theater, including in campaigns on Guam and the Philippines. In April 1945, Doss's unit was ordered to capture the Maeda Escarpment, a heavily fortified Japanese position on Okinawa. The battle was brutal, with heavy casualties on both sides. Doss was assigned to a small group of soldiers tasked with scaling the escarpment and securing a vital position on top. During the assault, Doss repeatedly risked his life to save wounded soldiers, dragging them to safety and treating their injuries while under enemy fire. He even lowered them down the cliff face on a rope, using his own body as a shield against enemy fire. Despite being wounded himself, Doss refused to be evacuated and continued to treat his fellow soldiers. He remained on the escarpment for 12 hours, alone and exposed, until he was finally rescued. Doss's actions during the Battle of Okinawa earned him the Medal of Honor. He was the first conscientious objector to receive the award, and his bravery and selflessness have inspired generations of soldiers and civilians alike. He was discharged on July 17, 1946. After the war, Doss suffered from physical and emotional injuries and struggled with alcoholism. However, he eventually overcame these challenges and went on to live a long and fulfilling life, passing away in 2006 at the age of 87. He remains a revered figure in the military community and a symbol of the courage and selflessness that define the American spirit.
Professional Career

One of Doss's early jobs was at a sawmill, where he worked as a carpenter's assistant. He also worked as a blacksmith and a mechanic before he was drafted into the Army in 1942. After the war, Doss worked as a barber and a salesman before he became a maintenance mechanic at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company. He worked there for over 30 years, eventually becoming a supervisor in the machine shop. Doss was known for his hard work and his attention to detail, and he was well-respected by his colleagues. In addition to his work at the shipyard, Doss was also a popular speaker and advocate for veterans' issues in his later years. He traveled around the country, speaking to schools and organizations about his experiences in the military and the importance of compassion and non-violence.
Personal Life & Family

Doss met his future wife, Dorothy Pauline Schutte (1920-1991), while he was working at a shipyard in Newport News, Virginia. The two fell in love and were married in 1942, just before Doss was drafted into the Army. Doss and Dorothy had one child, a son named Desmond Jr.
03/23

2006

Death

March 23, 2006

Death date

Doss had suffered a series of strokes in the years leading up to his death, and his health had been declining.

Cause of death

Piedmont, Alabama United States
Death location

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Gravesite & Burial

mm/dd/yyyy
Funeral date
Chattanooga National CemeterySection P Site 6399-A in Chattanooga, Tn 37404
Burial location
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Memories

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15 Memories, Stories & Photos about Desmond

Kathy Pinna

31.2k+ favorites

11/02/2016

Desmond Doss injuries

A photo of Desmond Doss in the hospital after being injured at Hacksaw Ridge and subsequent fighting. He lost 5 ribs, was shot in the arm by a sniper, contracted TB (and lost his hearing, due to being overdosed with antibiotics) and spent 5+ years in VA hospitals.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

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Desmond Thomas Doss- Medical Cadet Corps

Lizzie Kunde

27.6k+ favorites

04/11/2023

Desmond Thomas Doss- Medical Cadet Corps

Pictured in the 1961 Forest Lake Academy (Apopka, Florida, USA) yearbook is Congressional Medal of Honor winner, Desmond T. Doss, with Chaplain James, demonstrating his rescue knot.

Date & Place: 1961 at Forest Lake Academy 500 Education Loop, in Apopka, Seminole County, Florida 32703, United States

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Kathy Pinna

31.2k+ favorites

11/02/2016

Desmond Doss' Bible

A photo of the Bible that Desmond Doss carried in World War II. This may be a small photo, but it is the actual Bible. Doss lost it during the battle at Okinawa but his fellow soldiers, at great risk, went back and found it for him.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

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Kathy Pinna

31.2k+ favorites

06/01/2022

Doss Wedding Day

Dorothy and Desmond Doss on their wedding day.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

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Daniel Pinna

9.25k+ favorites

07/11/2022

Colorized photo of Desmond Doss

A colorized photo of Desmond Doss who was the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

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Kathy Pinna

31.2k+ favorites

11/02/2016

Desmond Doss

A photo of Desmond Doss holding a white feather. In World War 1 Great Britain, white feathers were sent to men who were considered cowards. In World War 2, in the United States, white feathers came to symbolize peace and courage.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

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AncientFaces

400 favorites

06/16/2022

If you saw the 2016 movie "Hacksaw Ridge" you know about the WW2 battle 77 years ago, its hero Desmond Doss, and the fact that he was the first pacifist to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.

But do you know about the real Desmond Doss and what he looked like? He was a a Seventh-Day Adventist who took to heart the Sixth Commandment - Thou Shalt Not Kill. He was married to Dorothy (Schutte) Doss for 49 years - until her accidental death - and they had one son. He was movie star handsome, and there was so much more to the real Desmond Doss.

Discover about the real lives of Desmond and Dorothy

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06/16/2022

Never fully recovered from all his wounds!

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