1919 – 2006

Desmond Doss

American solder, pacifist, and combat medic; recipient of the Purple Heart medal, recipient of the Medal of Honor (1919–2007)

pacifistconscientious objectorsoldiercombat medic

Born

1919-02-07, Lynchburg

Died

2006-03-23

Birthplace state

Virginia

Biography

Desmond Thomas Doss was a United States Army corporal who served as a combat medic with an infantry company in World War II. Due to his religious beliefs, he refused to carry a weapon.

Occupation

Desmond Doss is recorded as a pacifist, a conscientious objector, a soldier and a combat medic, born in Virginia (1919–2006).

Connections to Virginia

Desmond Doss was born in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1919. Explore other notable figures from Virginia, historic sites connected to this era, and the full colonial and statehood history of the state using the links below.

Other notable figures from Virginia›Virginiahistory ›Historic sites in Virginia›

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Desmond Doss came from Lynchburg. A full Aubrey report on Lynchburg pulls together everything the historical record holds about that place, from the first settlers to the twentieth century:

Overview

An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.

The Land

The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.

Geology

The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.

LiDAR Terrain

Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.

Conflict & War

The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.

The Civil War

The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.

The Soldiers

The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.

Native Heritage

The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.

Settlement

Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.

The Community

How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.

Rivers & Rail

The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.

Notable People

The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.

Historical Maps

Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.

Finds & Access

Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.

Literature

The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.

Spotlight

A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.

Points of Interest

The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.

Timeline

The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.

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More notable figures from Virginia

Other historical figures born in Virginia, ranked by historical prominence.

George Washington

founding Father and first U.S. president; soldier and slave owner (1732–1799)

Thomas Jefferson

president of the United States from 1801 to 1809 (1743–1826)

James Madison

President of the United States from 1809 to 1817 (1751–1836)

James Monroe

president of the United States from 1817 to 1825 (1758–1831)

Zachary Taylor

president of the United States from 1849 to 1850

John Tyler

president of the United States from 1841 to 1845

William Henry Harrison

president of the United States in 1841

Frequently asked about Desmond Doss

Who was Desmond Doss?

Desmond Doss was American solder, pacifist, and combat medic; recipient of the Purple Heart medal, recipient of the Medal of Honor (1919–2007), born in Virginia (1919 – 2006).

When and where was Desmond Doss born?

Desmond Doss was born on 1919-02-07 in Lynchburg.

When did Desmond Doss die?

Desmond died on 2006-03-23.

What was Desmond Doss known for?

Desmond Doss is recorded as a pacifist, a conscientious objector, a soldier and a combat medic.

Source

Biographical content adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Source: Wikipedia.

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