by Max C

Created on: March 08, 2009

Battle for Okinawa:The Story of Pvt. Desmond T. Doss

The courageous story of Private Desmond T. Doss is surely that of a true American Hero. When the U.S. entered World War II in late 1941, 21 year-old Virginian Desmond T. Doss was offered deferment from the draft, he declined knowing full well that by doing so he would soon be in the army. From the start of his military service Doss strongly objected to being categorized as a CO, "Conscientious Objector", because of his religious beliefs concerning killing, as a Seventh-Day Adventist. The term "Conscientious Objector" has always, in the opinion of many, bordered on that of mutiny and insubordination. Doss was unlike the stereotype in that he was patriotic and wanted to help the American cause for which he would do anything, anything but take another's life.

Desmond remained steadfast to the ideal set forth by the 6th Commandment. "Though shall not kill". He was routinely harassed by his Commanders and fellow soldiers for praying before he went to bed, and for his refusal to touch a gun. His commanding officers did everything they could to try and get him kicked out of the army, threatening him with court martial & and even having him tried under charges that he was mentally unstable! The 77th infantry division would soon see the bravery of the one they despised so vehemtly.

The 77th statue of liberty division quickly realized Desmond's good intentions when he risked running out in the open, under enemy fire, to aid wounded comrades during the 77th's battles on Guam & Leyte. During those campaigns he was awarded the Bronze Star and promoted to Private First Class. After almost a year of fighting in the Pacific, the 77th headed off to Okinawa, where Doss would truly prove heroic.

As you may know, Okinawa was the site of the bloodiest battle in the pacific. Lucky for them , by the time they reached Okinawa the beach had been secured. Their first obstacle was the Maeda Escarpment, a 400 foot cliff. The day after arriving, Company B (with 155 men left in it) was ordered to attack and secure the escarpment.

Once atop the cliff they find no Japanese, just a lone tunnel entrance (one of the many the Japanese used in WWII to move around stealthily underground). The soldiers poured a barrel gasoline in the hole, lighting it with a phosphorous grenade. As the cave exploded, Japanese soldiers began to pour out of foxholes & trenches nearby. The fight for the escarpment had begun. The Americans are forced to retreat

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