Desmond Doss Home2024-11-06T14:32:02-05:00

Who Was Desmond Doss?

Desmond was a simple and humble young man who went through a wartime experience that challenged his spiritual foundation and faith, which he displayed in awe-inspiring heroism witnessed by his fellow soldiers in the most brutal and impossible of battlefield circumstances. In so doing, he became an extraordinary figure who influenced all who came in contact with him. His character values of Courage, Conviction, Integrity, Humility, Selflessness, Faith, and Patriotism are relevant today, especially for young people to admire and, through education make “point of decision” actions to adopt these traits and values into their own lives. This has never been more needed in a world where so much contention exists and emerging technologies threaten our social order and self-understanding.

Who Was Desmond Doss?

Desmond was a simple and humble young man who went through a wartime experience that challenged his spiritual foundation and faith, which he displayed in awe-inspiring heroism witnessed by his fellow soldiers in the most brutal and impossible of battlefield circumstances. In so doing, he became an extraordinary figure who influenced all who came in contact with him. His character values of Courage, Patriotism, Conviction, Integrity, Selflessness and Faith are relevant today, especially for young people to admire and, through education make “point of decision” actions to adopt these traits and values into their own lives. This has never been more needed in a world where so much contention exists and emerging technologies threaten our social order and self-understanding.

The Foundation | Our Mission

The Desmond Doss Foundation exists because of the incredible heroism displayed by our namesake, Medal of Honor recipient Desmond T. Doss, whose character values are the basis for all we do. In fulfilling Desmond’s dream of inspiring young people to live a positive character driven life, we are moving forward with our educational “Edusodes” aimed specifically at young people, leaders, and emerging leaders while at the same time supporting causes for Veterans and 1st Responders, who put their lives on the line every day to protect us. To this end we are committed to carrying forward Desmond’s legacy for generations to come.

What we do for ourselves dies with us, what we do for others’ lives forever. 
Maj Gen Sparky Renforth, U.S.M.C. (Ret.)

For an account of our history please:

Our Values

Our Desmond Doss Edusodes™ Honoring Desmond’s Values:
Courage, Conviction, Integrity, Humility, Selflessness, Faith, and Patriotism

Courage

Courage

We support the ideal of being steadfast and committed to a course of action in the face of adversity, difficulty or uncertainty.

 

Conviction

Conviction

We believe conviction is indispensable for living a worthy life and is based on having a personal moral compass and resilience.

Integrity

Integrity

We promote honesty and believe a commitment to doing what is morally right is of utmost importance even when no one is looking, regardless the cost.

Humility

Humility

We are grateful for the blessings and freedoms we enjoy and promote living a humble life that provides an honorable example for the next generation.

Selflessness

Selflessness

We embrace the principles of unconditional love, forgiveness, compassion and self-sacrifice benefiting and serving fellow humans, providing hope and healing.

Faith

Faith

We believe ultimate trust in Divine power is the foundation that motivates acts of loyalty, selflessness, humility, conviction, integrity, courage and patriotism.

Patriotism

Patriotism

We support the concept of loyalty to country and devotion to freedom; and we promote living as upright citizens.

Edusode

Watch Edusode Trailer Here!

Edusode

The Desmond Doss Foundation welcomes you as you participate in a dynamic series of interactive educational episodes.

Our Goals

  • Encourage social awareness and acceptance at all levels of society regardless of age, race, religion, gender, social or economic status.
  • Promote character development, emphasizing the need for a personal moral compass and inspire youth to become honorable citizens.
  • Foster affiliations with other organizations having similar missions and goals.
  • Sponsor initiatives and activities to promote and perpetuate the Foundation‘s values.

  • Establish grants and provide resources to advance the Foundation‘s values.

  • Establish fundraising programs to sustain foundation activities and operations.
  • Maintain the duly authorized non-profit organization that meets tax exempt Federal requirements as a 501(c)(3) that facilitates the goals and mission of the foundation.

The Conscientious Objector

The Conscientious Objector is a documentary exploring the life of Desmond Doss, a US Army medic who was the only WWII soldier to receive the Medal of Honor as a conscientious objector.

Director: Terry Benedict

Writers: Terry Benedict, Jeff Wood

Executive Producers: Gabe Videla & Jon Sheinberg

Hacksaw Ridge

Hacksaw Ridge

Original Motion Picture Poster for the release of Hacksaw Ridge – 2018

Stream “Hacksaw Ridge” Here:

Purchase “Hacksaw Ridge” Here:

An impactful Oscar-Winning film tells the story of a little known American War Hero

HACKSAW RIDGE”This extraordinary Mel Gibson picture delivers the powerful true story of WWII Medic Desmond Doss, played dramatically by Andrew Garfield who, during the battle for Okinawa the bloodiest battle of the Pacific, he miraculously saved 75 men over the course of 12 hours without carrying a weapon of any kind.

Doss, a devout Christian chose to carry only his faith and conviction of saving lives into a battle setting so fierce his chances of survival were virtually impossible. He would quietly say a simple prayer “Lord help me get one more”  as he went into a living hell to single-handedly attend to the wounded then evacuate his men one by one under intense enemy gunfire and artillery bombardment.

Doss’ courage and faith won the admiration of his commanders and fellow soldiers, as a number of the men he saved were those who mistreated him during combat training, because of his moral stance to not bear arms. He was convicted not to kill under any circumstances. Doss was labeled a “Conscientious Objector” a social stigma he disliked having voluntarily enlisted. He preferred to call himself a “Conscientious Cooperator.” For his incredible acts of heroism Doss was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, America’s highest military recognition.  

“Hacksaw Ridge” was selected by the American Film Institute as the Best Dramatic Film of 2016. 

Gallery

Gallery

The Briefing Room

Upcoming Events

Andrews University Welcomes Edusodes

November 7 @ 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

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