The Conscientious Objector

By Katie Shaw (News writer)

Salute --Desmond Doss

For over 50 years, Hollywood has wanted to tell Desmond Doss’s story. Half a century after receiving the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military tribute, Doss gave Terry Benedict, a Seventh-day Adventist filmmaker, permission to tell his story to the world after years of silence. Desmond Doss, a Seventh-day Adventist private first class with the U.S. Army medical detachment for the 307th Infantry Division during World War II, became the first conscientious objector to win the Medal of Honor. Refusing to carry a gun, even for personal protection, Doss was ridiculed by officers and peers during training. In the spring of 1945, Doss and his division were attempting to overtake the Japanese island of Okinawa. On April 28, the enemy attacked relentlessly, injuring a large part of the battalion. Doss put his own life in danger when he stayed on top of a jagged escarpment and lowered the 75 injured men down the face of a cliff on a rope-supported litter to friendly hands.

His arm received a compound fracture in a later attack. Using a firearm—the only time during the war—he tied a rifle stock to his wounded limb as a splint, then crawled 300 yards over rough terrain to the aid station.

Doss received the Medal of Honor during a ceremony on Oct. 12, 1945, from President Harry S. Truman. The final paragraph from his citation reads: "Through his outstanding bravery and unflinching determination in the face of desperately dangerous conditions, Private Doss saved the lives of many soldiers. His name became a symbol throughout the 77th Infantry Division for outstanding gallantry far above and beyond the call of duty." Benedict is in the final stages of producing his documentary, "The Conscientious Objector," which will air on PBS as a special presentation on significant national holidays such as Veterans’ Day, Memorial Day, and July 4th.

Benedict has a 15-year background in the entertainment industry, including seven years as an assistant director and production manager on various features and three years as a production supervisor. "Desmond's story is inspiring. He is an amazing role model to young and old alike by never compromising his beliefs; and yet he showed his compassion for the very men who abused him," says Benedict. He has had a burden for years to tell Doss’s story and his goal is to conserve its integrity. Benedict will submit his documentary to the 2005 Academy Awards. Benedict came to Andrews University in early November and showed a 30-minute trailer for the documentary, and spoke about its impact on his life. He said, "I want to be a Doss in a mass media world."

For more information on this documentary, visit www.desmonddoss.com.

Reprinted with permission from the Lake Union Herald, February 2004. Katie Shaw is a news writer for Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI.