The Honor Is the Same

If you know a person who either believes that the only way to show courage on a battlefield is through the bringing of death -- or thinks that the military mindset believes that -- you might check out the story of PFC Desmond Doss here.

PFC Doss's devout religious beliefs did not allow him to pick up a weapon, even though he was drafted into the Army during World War II. The Army considered discharging him but he refused, saying he wouldn't be much of a Christian if he accepted discharge on the claim that his religion made him unfit to serve. Doss registered as a conscientous objector and trained as a medic.

During the battle of Okinawa, Doss was the only medic with the 307th Infantry Regiment for many days. He treated every wounded man he could, often risking enemy fire to get them to safety or treating them only yards away from the enemy's cave hideouts. Eventually wounded himself, he gave up his spot on a litter to a more seriously-wounded man and finally had to touch a rifle, using its stock to drag himself 300 yards to safety after a sniper shot him in the arm.

Promoted, Corporal Desmond Doss came home, but left a lung and six of his ribs in Okinawa. Upon recommendation of his superiors, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the first conscientous objector to receive that medal and one of only three who have (the other two, during the Vietnam War, were given posthumously). Predictably, Doss denied that he was a hero, saying only that he loved his men and he just "couldn't give them up."

A story worth considering today -- national Medal of Honor Day -- and any day.