Private First Class Carl B. Bentley described the actions of Private First Class Desmond Doss in April and May of 1945. Serving on Okinawa, Doss administered aid and evacuated many wounded soldiers while under enemy fire.
Doss was a conscientious objector during World War II. He entered the military, but refused to kill enemy soldiers or carry a weapon because of his religious beliefs as a Seventh-day Adventist. He served in a non-combatant role as a medic. He was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1945 – one of the few conscientious objectors ever to earn the award – for his heroic action assisting injured soldiers. Bentley’s statement supported awarding Doss the Medal of Honor.
