During World War II, Private First Class Desmond Doss was a conscientious objector. 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 actions assisting injured soldiers near Urasoe-Mura, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands.
Private First Class Desmond T. Doss
- 5/15/1945
Description
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer.
National Archives Identifier: 593452
Full Citation: 111-SC-438144; Photograph of Private First Class Desmond T. Doss; 5/15/1945; Photographs of American Military Activities, ca. 1918 – ca. 1981; Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, Record Group 111; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/document/pfc-desmond-doss/, April 4, 2026]
Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
