What did Harry S. Truman call an honor higher than being President?

You guys know Catherine and I love seeing movies, an activity that is a little more complicated now that we have a newborn.  But recently, I got to see Hacksaw Ridge, and it was great.

Desmond Doss is an American hero, but not the kind that is usually the subject of a Hollywood blockbuster. Yes, he was a brave soldier in World War II and yes, he saved many lives, but it wasn’t because he was a weapons master or had superhuman strength. Doss saved the lives of his fellow soldiers armed only with his Christian faith and his love of country.

Hacksaw Ridge tells this hero’s story. The film is directed by Mel Gibson (Braveheart, The Passion of The Christ) and stars Andrew Garfield (The Amazing Spiderman) as Doss. A press release provides more information on this unique tale of war:

“Hacksaw Ridge” is the extraordinary true story of Christian Army Medic Desmond Doss who, in Okinawa during the bloodiest battle of WWII, miraculously saved 75 men in one night without firing or carrying a gun.

Doss (Andrew Garfield) was the only American soldier in WWII to fight on the front lines without a weapon, armed only with the Bible and his faith in God. Doss believed that while the war was justified, killing was nevertheless wrong. His commanding officers, concerned he was a liability, tried to intimidate him, gave him extra duties, falsely declared him mentally unfit and attempted to court martial him. He believed his duty was to obey God and serve his country—in that order, and he refused to leave.

In May 1945, Japanese troops were fiercely defending Okinawa, the only remaining barrier to an allied invasion of their homeland. With a constant prayer on his lips, this Army medic vowed to rescue as many as he could, before he either collapsed or died trying. As enemy bullets whizzed past and mortar shells exploded around him, he repeatedly ran to treat a his fallen comrades and carry them back to safety while praying “One more, Lord … one more.”

Doss single-handedly evacuated the wounded from behind enemy lines, braved fire while tending to soldiers and was wounded by a grenade and hit by snipers. His iron determination and unflagging courage resulted in at least 75 lives saved that day, May 5, 1945. Doss was the first conscientious objector awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. However, since he enlisted, he referred to himself as a conscientious cooperator.

Isn’t that interesting?  The release also said that President Harry S. Truman held Corporal Desmond Thomas Doss’s hand as the citation was read at the White House.

“I’m proud of you,” the President said. “You really deserve this. I consider this a greater honor than being president.”

The release continues:

Before being honorably discharged from the Army in 1946, Desmond developed tuberculosis. His illness progressed and at the age of 87, Corporal Desmond Thomas Doss died on March 23, 2006. He is buried in the National Cemetery, Chattanooga, Tennessee.

It’s not often that a film comes out of Hollywood that touches on faith in God or standing on moral principles, and this one has both. Read more about Doss’s amazing story here.

Click CONTINUE to see the trailer: