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"The Conscientious Objector"
Larry J — (archived)

Last year, I saw the documentary "The Conscientious Objector" about Desmond T. Doss, Sr., the only conscientious objector to win the Congressional Medal of Honor during World War II. I just learned that he has died at age 87. He was a remarkable man, not only for his courage under extreme danger on Okinawa but for his refusal to go against his religious beliefs. From the article,

According to his Medal of Honor citation, time after time, Mr. Doss’ fellow soldiers witnessed how unafraid he was for his own safety. He was always willing to go after a wounded fellow, no matter how great the danger. On one occasion in Okinawa, he refused to take cover from enemy fire as he rescued approximately 75 wounded soldiers, carrying them one-by-one and lowering them over the edge of the 400-foot Maeda Escarpment. He did not stop until he had brought everyone to safety nearly 12 hours later.

There is a book about him available here.

The documentary is discussed here and here. I didn't see it listed on Amazon but it's probably available somewhere.

Doss wasn't the only conscientious objector to serve bravely during WWII. I've read that a significant percentage of the medics and stretcher bearers during that war were COs and no one can doubt their valor.

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