The Deacon's Bench
Lionsgate is in final talks for North American rights to Hacksaw Ridge, a World War II drama starring Andrew Garfield and returning Mel Gibson to the director’s chair for the first time since Apocalypto in 2006.
…Hacksaw Ridge stars Garfield as real-life war hero Pfc. Desmond T. Doss, who became the first conscientious objector in American military history to receive the Medal of Honor even though he refused to bear arms on religious grounds.
Doss made himself a legend when saving 75 men during the Battle of Okinawa. He helped evacuate the wounded near enemy lines, braved fire while tending to soldiers on the field, and in one overnight battle, was wounded by a grenade and later hit by a sniper while saving grunts. Doss also received two Bronze Stars and three Purple Hearts.
More on Desmond Doss, from Wikipedia:
Doss was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, the son of Bertha E. (Oliver) and William Thomas Doss, a carpenter.
Drafted in April 1942, Desmond Doss refused to kill, or carry a weapon into combat, because of his personal beliefs as a Seventh-day Adventist. He consequently became a medic, and by serving in the Pacific theatre of World War II helped his country by saving the lives of his comrades, while also adhering to his religious convictions. Doss was injured twice during the war and shortly before leaving the Army he was diagnosed with tuberculosis which cost him a lung. He left the Army in 1946. He spent five years undergoing medical treatment for his injuries and illness.
His Medal of Honor was given in recognition of the risks he took to save the lives of so many comrades.
It goes on to note that he died in 2006.
Photo: Desmond Doss receives the Medal of Honor from President Truman, via Wikipedia
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