DAV Magazine — November/December 2016
MEDAL OF HONOR
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS DESMOND DOSS
On Nov. 1, 1945, President Harry S. Truman presented Pfc. Desmond Doss the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions serving with the 77th Infantry Division at Urasoe Mura, Okinawa. Per the citation, Doss:
• Refused to seek cover as his unit fell upon heavy artillery, mortar and machine gun fire, instead carrying each of the 75 wounded down a cliff face one by one to safety.
• Repeatedly exposed himself to heavy rifle and mortar fire to rescue wounded men, advanced through a shower of enemy grenades to render aid to casualties before evacuating them to safety, and braved small-arms fire to assist an artillery officer.
• Refused extraction after being seriously wounded in the legs by a grenade explosion, choosing instead to treat his own wounds rather than risk the safety of a fellow soldier.
• After sustaining a compound fracture to the arm, bound his wound and crawled 30 yards over rough terrain to an aid station for treatment.
“Through his outstanding bravery and unflinching determination in the face of desperately dangerous conditions Pfc. Doss saved the lives of many soldiers,” Truman read from the citation. “His name became a symbol throughout the 77th Infantry Division for outstanding gallantry far above and beyond the call of duty.”
On Nov. 1, 1945, President Harry S. Truman presented Pfc. Desmond Doss the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions serving with the 77th Infantry Division at Urasoe Mura, Okinawa. Per the citation, Doss:
• Refused to seek cover as his unit fell upon heavy artillery, mortar and machine gun fire, instead carrying each of the 75 wounded down a cliff face one by one to safety.
• Repeatedly exposed himself to heavy rifle and mortar fire to rescue wounded men, advanced through a shower of enemy grenades to render aid to casualties before evacuating them to safety, and braved small-arms fire to assist an artillery officer.
• Refused extraction after being seriously wounded in the legs by a grenade explosion, choosing instead to treat his own wounds rather than risk the safety of a fellow soldier.
• After sustaining a compound fracture to the arm, bound his wound and crawled 30 yards over rough terrain to an aid station for treatment.
“Through his outstanding bravery and unflinching determination in the face of desperately dangerous conditions Pfc. Doss saved the lives of many soldiers,” Truman read from the citation. “His name became a symbol throughout the 77th Infantry Division for outstanding gallantry far above and beyond the call of duty.”
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