Private First Class Carl B. Bentley described the actions of Private First Class
Desmond Doss in April and May of 1945. Serving on Okinawa, Doss administered aid and evacuated many wounded soldiers while under enemy fire.
Doss was a contentious objector during World War II. He entered the military, but refused to kill enemy soldiers or carry a weapon because of his religious beliefs as a Seventh-day Adventist. He served in a non-combatant role as a medic. He was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1945 – one of the few conscientious objectors ever to earn the award – for his heroic action assisting injured soldiers. Bentley's statement supported awarding Doss the Medal of Honor.
This primary source comes from the Records of U.S. Army Operational, Tactical, and Support Organizations (World War II and Thereafter).
National Archives Identifier:
595195Full Citation: PFC Carl B. Bentley's Affidavit Used in Support of the Desmond Doss Medal of Honor; ca. 1945; 200.6 Awards and Decorations "D"; Correspondence Files, 1944 - 1945; Records of U.S. Army Operational, Tactical, and Support Organizations (World War II and Thereafter), Record Group 338; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/bentley-affidavit, May 2, 2024]