Who Was Desmond Doss?
When we think of conscientious objectors, Desmond Doss might come to mind.
That is, if you read his story or saw the movie, Hacksaw Ridge.
Sometimes we mention the movie about Desmond Doss when we talk about our book, Near the Danube Bridge.
Who was he?
Desmond was a Seventh-day Adventist and conscientious objector in the United States. He lived in Virginia. In 1942, he decided he wanted to serve his country during WWII. So he enlisted in the Army. Good for him!
But, wait. By serving his country, he didn’t intend to position himself behind a gun and prepare to kill and maim the enemy. He wanted to save the lives of those who chose to fight by serving as a medic. He knew many would suffer.
And yet, as an enlisted army member, he knew he would have to go through basic training — even though he would never agree to hold a gun, let alone shoot a bullet.
Although he was teased and mocked for his religious beliefs by those who trained with him, he was lucky. He wasn’t incarcerated. He didn’t have to serve time in labor camps and suffer for his beliefs, just because he was a conscientious objector.
During the war, he pulled wounded soldiers off the battlefield and saved 75 lives, all while being unarmed.
Desmond Doss became a hero. His name became associated with faith and standing up for one’s beliefs.
Kalman Hartig was also a hero.
He was drafted in Communist Yugoslavia after WWII was over. He was Seventh-day Adventist as well, but he wasn’t given permission to be trained to save lives as a medic should another war happen as was Desmond Doss. He was severely punished, to the brink of death, for his beliefs.
He’s is a hero because he survived his punishment. He’s a hero because he didn’t waver from his faith in God. He’s a hero because he encouraged other Seventh-day Adventists, who were serving time in labor camps with him, to endure their plight. He’s a hero because he was willing to stand up for what he believed was right, no matter the consequences. He’s a hero because he guided his wife and two children out of Yugoslavia so they could live a better life. He’s a hero because he brought them to the United States where they could worship according to their own consciousnesses without fear of retribution. He’s a hero because he set an example for both the faith-led and non-religious around the world.
Everyone can learn from Kalman’s example of perseverance. He was that kind of person.
Read the book.
Catherine Allen-Walters
For more information about Desmond Doss’ life check and the movie click on these links.