Desmond Doss: The First
Desmond Doss was a conscientious objector who served as a medic during World War II. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Okinawa, and the story of his life was made into the movie Hacksaw Ridge. If you would like to know more about Doss, you can read my blog post here.
While Doss was the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor, he was not the last. Two men who served as medics in Vietnam were also conscientious objectors who received the Medal of Honor.
Thomas W. Bennett
Thomas W. Bennett was born in Morgantown, West Virginia, in 1947. His father died when Thomas was five. His mother remarried when Thomas was in third grade. His stepfather, Kermit Gray, was a World War II veteran who had served in the Pacific.
During high school, Bennett was involved in many extracurricular activities, including serving as the governor of the West Virginia Key Clubs. Unfortunately, this emphasis on outside activities led to his grades falling, and he had to resign that position. During this difficult season of his life, he turned to his Baptist faith for comfort.
Bennett was accepted to West Virginia University in 1966. Once again, he became very active in extracurricular activities, and once again his grades suffered. He was placed on academic probation in 1967 and decided to enlist as a conscientious objector.
After completing basic training and combat medic training, Bennett left for Vietnam in January 1969. On February 9, Bennett pulled at least five wounded men to safety while under gunfire. His sergeant, James McBee, nominated him for the Silver Star, saying:
“Nothing stops him… He said he wasn’t afraid at all, that he was trying to be a medic and that was his job. He said the Lord would protect him, and if he died, it was God’s will.”
Throughout February 10, Bennett continued tending to wounded soldiers. Early on February 11, enemy snipers began firing on the company. Bennett left cover to reach the wounded soldiers. As he did, he was killed by a burst of AK-47 fire.
It was recommended that Bennett be awarded the Medal of Honor, and it was presented to his parents on what would have been his 23rd birthday.
Many things were named in Bennett’s honor, including a dormitory at West Virginia University and a bridge in West Virginia. However, I think the one that would have mattered most to him was the Bennett Health Care Clinic at Fort Hood, which provides comprehensive care to active-duty soldiers.
Joseph G. LaPointe (Guy)
There was one more conscientious objector who was awarded the Medal of Honor: Joseph G. LaPointe Jr., known as Guy.
LaPointe graduated from high school and worked as a mail carrier in Englewood, Ohio. He was a nature lover and an avid hiker. His widow, Cindy, said that many of their early dates involved birdwatching. She also shared a story from LaPointe’s stepmother. Not long after Guy met Cindy, he told his stepmother that he had “met the girl he was going to marry.”
Guy was drafted in 1968, and he married Cindy before he finished training and left for Vietnam in November of that year. As with the other conscientious objectors, he trained as a combat medic.
On June 2, 1969, his squad was on patrol when it came under heavy fire and took several casualties. LaPointe ran through enemy fire to reach two wounded men. He treated them and shielded them with his own body until all three were killed by a grenade.
LaPointe left behind his wife and young son, Joseph Guy LaPointe III, whom he never met. His son later said that no one person told him what his father had done. Instead, he pieced it together over time.
He said his most meaningful experience was traveling to Vietnam with men from his father’s unit. He said, “That is where I got the whole picture. Everything came into play, because they just had story after story, and it’s jaw-dropping. It really is everything he did while he was over there. The friends that he made, and the fact that it’s 48 years later and he’s still affecting people’s lives.”
Three Men Who Served Without a Weapon
No conscientious objector has been awarded the Medal of Honor since Vietnam, likely because it has become less common for them to be placed in combat roles. These three men, however, exemplify both deep faith and incredible courage.
