“The Unlikeliest Hero”, by Booton Herndon, is a true story about Desmond T. Doss, the only conscientious objector to receive a Medal of Honor in World War II for bravery above and way beyond any call to duty.

He said he wanted to serve his country, but would not kill anyone. During his initial training (Boot Camp) he was ridiculed, taunted and asked to leave the Service, as a man who would not carry a weapon would be a liability to his unit. He indicated he was as brave as anyone else in the unit and would do his duty, just not kill anyone.

He saw action in the Pacific, with landings at Guam, Leyte, and Okinawa. His men soon learned that he was fearless on the battlefield in his efforts to rescue them when they were wounded, though he still refused to carry a weapon.

He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the taking of Okinawa. While under enemy fire on the island of Okinawa, Doss carried 75 wounded soldiers to the edge of a 300-foot cliff and lowered them to safety, according to his citation.

During a later attack, he was seriously wounded when a grenade exploded. According to the citation, as he was being carried to safety, he saw a more critically injured man and crawled off his stretcher, directing the medics to help the other wounded man.

Most Medal of Honor recipients received their medal for killing someone. He received his by saving lives.

“The Unlikeliest Hero” is a truly remarkable story about a truly remarkable man.

James H. Williams
jhw@jameshwilliams.com