Endorsement for PFC Desmond Doss for the Medal of Honor
6/24/1945
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This endorsement from the commander of the 77th Infantry Division, Brigadier General Edwin H. Randle, approved awarding the Medal of Honor to Private First Class Desmond Doss. The award recommendation would go on to the commander of the 24th Corps for his approval. Doss was recommended because "no matter how heavy the fire he remained and cared for the wounded regardless of consequences or danger."
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 received his Medal of Honor on November 1, 1945, for his heroic action assisting injured soldiers near Urasoe-Mura, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands. Doss became, at that time, the only conscientious objector to ever to earn the award.
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 received his Medal of Honor on November 1, 1945, for his heroic action assisting injured soldiers near Urasoe-Mura, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands. Doss became, at that time, the only conscientious objector to ever to earn the award.
This primary source comes from the Records of U.S. Army Operational, Tactical, and Support Organizations (World War II and Thereafter).
National Archives Identifier: 595205
Full Citation: Memorandum Approving the Award of the Medal of Honor for PFC Desmond Doss by BG Edwin H. Randle; 6/24/1945; 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/endorsement-desmond-doss-medal-of-honor, May 4, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.