Desmond T. Doss was the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor and one of only three so honored. He was a Private First Class (at the time of his Medal of Honor heroics) in the U.S. Army, assigned to the Medical Detachment, 307th Infantry, 77th Infantry Division.
On this day in 1945, Corporal Desmond T. Doss of Lynchburg, Virginia, was presented the Medal of Honor by President Truman for outstanding bravery as a medic, during the conquest of Okinawa earlier that year. Doss was a pacifist based on his religion, 7th Day Adventist, and refused therefore to kill or carry a weapon, but he served as a medic and was brave, brave, brave. He saved at least a dozen lives at the extreme risk of his own, and despite multiple wounds, including a compound fracture of his arm he bound to the broken stock of a rifle. Doss was the first conscientious objector to win the Medal of Honor.
This is an amazing story of faith and love, where a man following the convictions of his heart, thought it wrong to take another life; but nevertheless at the risk of his own life, he took numerous risks, while under fire to save the lives of countless soldiers, on both sides too; as he also risked his life to save enemy soldiers as well.
God must have assigned angels to watch over this Christian Brother, as he took the step of faith to trust his life and situation completely into God’s hands.
I feel this is an example of what faith is, where we abandon ourselves completely, into the hands of our Lord; and are willing to step out into the void, casting all of our trust upon Him; trusting that once we do, in accordance with God’s Word and the convictions of our heart, that God will sustain us.
I feel strongly that this is an example and a message for us all to look to in these days. Selah
Shalom,
Skip Barland
From: RBC Ministries [mailto:donotreply@rbc.org] Sent: Saturday, June 05, 2010 9:10 PM To: theskipper@cox.net Subject: Our Daily Bread — June 6, 2010
June 6, 2010
A Hero Who Healed
Do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. —1 Peter 3:14
Corporal Desmond Doss was the first conscientious objector to earn the Congressional Medal of Honor, the United States’ highest military award.
A devout follower of Christ, Doss believed that it was not right for him to kill others, but he wanted to serve his country so he volunteered as a medic.
During boot camp, his fellow soldiers ridiculed him for refusing to fire a rifle. They mocked him when he read his Bible and knelt beside his bunk at night to pray. But in combat, it was a different story.
During the World War II battle for Okinawa in May 1945, Doss repeatedly risked his life to rescue scores of wounded men.
Through his unselfish actions, he earned the gratitude and respect of his former critics and of those whose lives he saved.
In the face of unjust criticism, Peter told his fellow Christians, “Even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. ‘And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled’?” (1 Peter 3:14).
He urged them to honor God in their hearts and be ready to give a respectful reply to anyone who asked about the hope within them (v.15).
May our response to a hurting world that’s often hostile to Christ be one that demonstrates God’s love. —David McCasland
We’re told to love the enemies
That in this life we face,
For showing love that’s not deserved
Reveals to them God’s grace. —Bosch
To return good for good is human; to return good for evil is divine.
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