Age, Biography, and Wiki
Desmond Thomas Doss was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, to William Thomas Doss and Bertha Edward Doss. He grew up in a devout Seventh-day Adventist household, which significantly influenced his beliefs and actions throughout his life. Doss refused to carry a weapon during his military service, adhering to his religious convictions. He served as a combat medic in World War II, distinguishing himself in the Battle of Okinawa by saving approximately 75 men.
Occupation | Activist |
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Date of Birth | 7 February 1919 |
Age | 106 Years |
Birth Place | Lynchburg, Virginia, U.S. |
Horoscope | Aquarius |
Country | U.S |
Date of death | 23 March, 2006 |
Died Place | Piedmont, Alabama, U.S. |
Height, Weight & Measurements
There is limited information available about Desmond Doss's height, weight, or other physical measurements. His focus was on his religious beliefs and military service rather than personal physical attributes.
While serving with his platoon in 1944 in Guam and the Philippines, he was awarded two Bronze Star Medals with a "V" device, for exceptional valor in aiding wounded soldiers under fire. During the Battle of Okinawa, he saved the lives of 50–100 wounded infantrymen atop the area known by the 96th Division as the Maeda Escarpment or Hacksaw Ridge. Doss was wounded four times in Okinawa, and was evacuated on May 21, 1945, aboard the USS Mercy (AH-8). Doss suffered a left arm fracture from a sniper's bullet while being carried back to Allied lines and at one point had 17 pieces of shrapnel embedded in his body after attempting to kick a grenade away from himself and his comrades. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Okinawa.
After the war, Doss wanted to continue his career in carpentry but extensive damage to his left arm made that impossible. In 1946, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis, contracted on Leyte. He underwent treatment for five and a half years — losing a lung and five ribs — before being discharged from the hospital in August 1951 with 90% disability.
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Dating & Relationship Status
Doss was married to Dorothy Schutte from 1942 until her death in 1991. He then married Frances May Duman in 1993, and they remained together until his passing in 2006.
William Doss registered for the draft between 1917 and 1918 in Lynchburg, Virginia, as part of the Selective Service System. His mother raised him as a devout Seventh-day Adventist and instilled Sabbath-keeping, nonviolence, and vegetarianism in his upbringing. He grew up in the Fairview Heights area of Lynchburg, alongside his older sister Audrey and younger brother Harold.
Doss married Dorothy Pauline Schutte on August 17, 1942, and they had one child, Desmond "Tommy" Doss Jr., born in 1946. Desmond, Jr. followed in his father's footsteps, serving as an army medic, then as a firefighter and paramedic. On November 17, 1991, Dorothy died in a car accident that happened while Doss was driving her to the hospital for cancer treatment. Doss remarried on July 1, 1993, to Frances May Duman.
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Husband | Dorothy Schutte (m. 1942-1991) Frances Duman (m. 1993) |
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Net Worth and Salary
Desmond Doss's net worth is not the focus of his legacy, as he lived a modest life dedicated to his faith and service. His financial assets were likely minimal, reflecting his humble lifestyle and commitment to his values.
Career, Business, and Investments
Doss's career was primarily in military service. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Okinawa, becoming the first conscientious objector to receive this honor. After his military service, Doss did not engage in significant business ventures or investments. His influence continued through his legacy and the educational initiatives inspired by his life.
Desmond Thomas Doss (February 7, 1919 – March 23, 2006) was a United States Army corporal who served as a combat medic with an infantry company in World War II. Due to his religious beliefs, he refused to carry a weapon.
Doss attended the Park Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church school until the eighth grade, and subsequently found a job at the Lynchburg Lumber Company to support his family during the Great Depression. Before the outbreak of World War II, Doss was employed as a joiner at a shipyard in Newport News, Virginia.
Doss refused to carry a weapon into combat because of his personal beliefs as a Seventh-day Adventist against killing. He consequently became a medic assigned to the 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 307th Infantry, 77th Infantry Division.
Social Network
Desmond Doss did not have a presence on social media, as these platforms were not prominent during his lifetime. However, his story has been widely shared and celebrated, inspiring many through various media platforms.
Education
Doss attended the Park Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church school until the eighth grade. His education was largely influenced by his religious upbringing and did not extend beyond this level due to his early entry into the workforce to support his family during the Great Depression.
* In the early 1980s, a school in Lynchburg was renamed Desmond T. Doss Christian Academy. The school was founded by the Lynchburg Seventh-day Adventist Church, the home church of Desmond Doss during his years in Lynchburg. The church wanted to honor Doss for standing strong in his faith despite facing great adversity. Doss visited the school that bears his name three times before his death.
Conclusion
Desmond Doss's life was a testament to courage, conviction, and selflessness. His legacy extends far beyond financial metrics, inspiring generations with his dedication to his faith and service to others. The Desmond Doss Foundation continues to honor his values, promoting character-driven leadership and supporting veterans and first responders.