Conscientious Objector to be Theatrical Movie (WWII awarded Congressional Medal of Honor)

Adventist News Network ^ | February 22, 2006

[Former Military Chick]

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Story of Conscientious Objector to be Theatrical Movie

February 22, 2006 Silver Spring, Maryland, United States .... [ANN Staff]

Nearly 60 years ago, a young Seventh-day Adventist who refused to bear arms was responsible for one of the greatest acts of heroism by a single person in combat. Now, that story is going to be developed as a major motion picture, and is expected to bring the message of non-combatancy to millions.

Desmond T. Doss, a 24-year-old medic from Lynchburg, Virginia, stayed atop a blood-soaked escarpment on the island of Okinawa on May 5, 1945, lowering down soldiers pinned under a Japanese attack. He was the only person to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, the United States' top military award, for non-combat achievements, in the Second World War.

He rigged a rope and helped 75 soldiers escape a near-certain death during one of the more intense battles of the Pacific campaign.

"Lord, help me get one more. Just ONE more," was Doss' prayer during those hours. After the last man was evacuated, Doss himself made his way to safety.

Filmmaker Terry Benedict produced "The Conscientious Objector," a critically acclaimed documentary that told Doss' story. It has won well over a dozen film festival awards across the United States. Benedict is one of the writers for the movie, along with actor and playwright Robert Schenkkan, whose drama "The Kentucky Cycle" won the Pulitzer Prize in 1992.

Benedict and David Permut, an independent producer, took the project to Bill Mechanic, owner of Pandemonium Entertainment. They set up a deal with Walden Media -- who co-financed and produced "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" with Disney -- and Bristol Bay Productions.

Mechanic, Permut and Benedict will produce the project. Steve Longi will co-produce, Gregory Crosby will associate produce, and Bristol Bay executive vice president Lenny Kornberg will oversee the project.

"I'm very happy that Desmond's story is going to be done as a theatrical film," says Benedict. "I believe it'll serve an important purpose in sharing his beliefs and convictions. The world would be a better place if we all followed in his footsteps. I think the movie will become a classic."

Though known to several generations of Seventh-day Adventists, the story of Desmond Doss has only recently gained a wider audience, thanks to "The Conscientious Objector" and to media interest in his accomplishments. Doss' refusal to carry a weapon during his wartime service as an Army medic earned him harassment and catcalls from his peers in the military, but his example of service above self-interest earned him a nation's thanks, and one of its highest honors.

[Former Military Chick]

This CO does give me pause, it appears that while he would bear arms he assisted in the saving of other's.

Some forget what a CO means, to me, it is one that will find other way's to serve while in the military.

Recent news, shows folks trying to use the CO status to get our of service all together and they volunteered.

I hope this doesn't give folks the wrong impression as a way out ... anything can be taken out of context.

[Former Military Chick]

Be curious on your thoughts of this CO?

[goldstategop]

I do respect genuine CO's. What I despise are those who sign up for military service under false pretenses and then wriggle out of the duty by offering politically convenient excuses to avoiding taking up arms on behalf of their country.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[Romanov]

Gotta agree with you. In those days, COs still served and were COs out of true previously held beliefs. They should be respected. I have no stomach for those who've served years and then all of a sudden have "realized" they "object."

[EveningStar]

ping

[Tax-chick]

It sounds like it has the potential to be an excellent movie.

[nopardons]

No, NO volunteer can turn around and then claim CO, when being shipped out. That's a fraud and a sham.

That's where I stand.

[Billthedrill]

The Quakers too had some CO fellers who were crazy-brave medics. I salute them.

[big'ol_freeper]

I can't stomach the whole CO thing. Its a copout to avoid sharing the responsibilities of citizenship.

[Dog Gone]

I've met Desmond Doss several times. He is an American hero.

He did not object to serving in the war in any capacity, except that he did not want to kill anyone.

That was the official position of the Seventh Day Adventist church at the time of WWII, and he was being true to his religious beliefs while helping out any way he could.

[Dog Gone]

Doss was drafted.

[Former Military Chick]

True, but at the CO in topic here I do not believe volunteered. So, instead of running, he found another way to serve. I am not trying to OK it but I am trying to see it from both sides and if he had not been there would those military member's still have been saved?

[bayourant]

Thats interesting. I have some 7th day adventist in my family. Yeah its quite a hoot having Adventist and Catholic family memebrs mix lol. BUt anyway I never knew that there was a pacifist tradition in the Adventist church. Learn something new everyday

[Charlespg]

I respect Dosss, he have been a CO
but he still served his country

[Former Military Chick]

Excellent comment, wonderful addition to the thread, thank you.

I do think that is what the CO policy was created for. For those who truely had a religious belief that did not jive with "bearing arms". At the same time, those who felt that way found other ways in the military to serve their country and not by running off to Canada.

PS I know many ended up in CA and that was because they couldn't prove they were really a CO which meant they wanted to avoid service to our country.

[EveningStar]

He sounds like a hero to me.

[nopardons]

So? How does your statement contradict mine, or change what I said?

[Former Military Chick]

FYI

[SoCal Pubbie]

Sergeant York was a conscientious objector before relenting and going into combat in WWI.

[nopardons]

There has always been a place for DRAFTED COs. That's why I just posted what I did...the other side.