“Medic! Medic! I need a medic!”

Those words echoed from wounded soldier to wounded soldier on a narrow piece of land in Southern Japan.

The year was 1945. World War II was current events. The United States and Japan were at war with each other. This particular battle involved U.S. troops ascending a 400 foot escarpment to gain a foothold at Hacksaw Ridge.

Soldier after soldier, approximately 155 in total, used ropes and cargo nets to gain elevation, yet once atop the summit, because of the stronghold, many soldiers were shot and wounded. Possibly a third of them found their way back to safety; the others laid wounded.

With bullets whizzing by, mortars exploding, one member of the 307th Infantry, 77th Division, unarmed, lowered approximately 75 of his wounded comrades down this steep escarpment, one by one, prior to rejoining the other troops below. His name: Corp. Desmond Doss.

What type of faith does it take to go into battle with only his gear, his Holy Bible and no gun? What type of upbringing does it take for a person to have a dedicated and strong belief in his Lord, Jesus Christ? What type of commitment does it take for a person to put others first while rescuing them in harm’s way?

Like many others throughout history, Desmond Doss, grew up in a home devoted to religious principles. He learned to live his religious beliefs to all of God’s Ten Commandments. Of the stories that were told and written of Desmond, two commandments stood out with great importance: the sixth commandment, “Thou Shalt Not Kill,” and the fourth commandment, “Remember To Keep The Sabbath Day Holy.”

Desmond believed God’s sixth commandment extensively and relied on God to protect him as he chose not to carry a gun regardless of the situation, even despite the ridicule from his own comrades. His devotion to keeping the Bible’s Sabbath from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday was also of great importance. Numerous times, his liberty was penalized because of his Sabbath beliefs.

Desmond’s devoted study and prayer life, his walking the talk, eventually earned him respect from his commanders and comrades. His effectiveness as a combat medic gained such respect that his commanders waited until his Bible studies were complete prior to going into battle.

What happened in May of 1945 at Hacksaw Ridge earned him honor from Harry Truman, president of the United States, as he awarded him with the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Come watch and listen to many other thoughts of his devotion to God throughout his life. Come be inspired.

The free documentary video “The Conscientious Objector” shares many insights of Desmond’s life, his devotion to God and his comrades. The first 25 attendees will receive the free booklet, “The Faith of Desmond Doss.”

The event will be at Seventh-day Adventist Church at 253 Valleyview Drive in Pocatello on Friday, June 14, at 7 p.m. Attendance is free.

David Woodbury is a member of the Pocatello Seventh-day Adventist Church serving in the capacity of Communication Secretary. He also serves with the Portneuf Valley Interfaith Fellowship (PVIF) within Pocatello.