How a coward and draft dodger got the highest award for valor.

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 23:27:34 -0500

This is a good story.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2015 11:32 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 23:32:49 -0500

Good story

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Feb 23 at 2015 11:34 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 23:34:42 -0500

I would hardly call Desmond Doss a draft dodger OR a coward. He claimed conscientious objector status when he was drafted, true, but he still wanted to serve, so he became a medic. Medics in those days didn't carry weapons and weren't required to kill. And while medics my have been looked on with scorn before going into theater (particularly if it became known the medic was a conscientious objector), they were beloved in theater. And Doss certainly was no coward.

Response by CPT Jeff Reichardt made May 28 at 2018 12:59 PM

CPT Jeff Reichardt — Mon, 28 May 2018 12:59:16 -0400

Desmond Doss saved the lives of over 70 soldiers on that ridge alone. Most of the soldiers hated him until they needed him.

Could you do what he did? I doubt it.