LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) – Legislation introduced by Time Kain and U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner will rename the Lynchburg VA Clinic after the highly decorated WWII Medal of Honor recipient, Desmond T. Doss.
The clinic’s renaming will be after Private First-Class Desmon T. Doss, who is a highly revered Medal of Honor Recipient, who saved numerous lives during World War II. Legislation introduced on Monday, December 16 in the U.S. House of Representatives in a voice vote which is now headed for signature on the President’s Desk.
“Private First-Class Desmond Doss was a true American hero. Renaming the Lynchburg VA Clinic after him is a fitting tribute to a man who demonstrated unwavering commitment to his fellow soldiers and to his country,” said the senators. “We are proud to see this legislation head to the president’s desk to be signed into law so that future generations of Virginians can be reminded of and inspired by Desmond Doss’ bravery and service.”
Private First Class Doss was born in Lynchburg, Va., and was enlisted into the Army in April of 1942 after the attack on Pearl Harbor. As a Seventh-Day Adventist, Private First Class Doss could have denied enlistment, however, he enlisted as a self-described “conscientious cooperator,” and perused his medical roles in the Army.
He served in his platoon in 1944 in Guam and the Philippines and during that time was awarded two Bronze Star Medals for exceptional valor in aiding wounded soldiers who were under fire. Later, during his time in the Battle of Okinawa, he saved 75 lives of wounded infantrymen in the area known by the 96 Division as the Maeda Escarpment or Hacksaw Ridge. This earned him a Medal of Honor which was awarded by President Harry Truman.
Private First Class Doss was evacuated on May 21, 1945, after being wounded four times in Okinawa and was boarded on the USS Mercy where he was brought to Hawaii.
The legislation to rename the VA clinic passed in August due to the support of several veterans organizations and groups including: the Lynchburg Area Veterans Council Inc.; Salem VA Medical Center; American Legion Post 16; Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 196; Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 1607; Marine Corps League Detachment 759; Military Order of the World Wars, Piedmont Chapter; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Desmond T. Doss Post 12179; the National Center for Healthy Veterans, Valor Farm; and Monument Terrace Troop Rally.
The legislation is sponsored by the House by U.S. Rep. Bob Good (R-VA).