Desmond Doss performed one of the most remarkable feats of courage in World War II, rescuing 75 injured soldiers without ever bearing arms. His valor at Hacksaw Ridge—a steep, hazardous cliff on Okinawa—turned the battlefield into a symbol of pure self-sacrifice and steadfast duty.
This article examines the historical relevance of Hacksaw Ridge, the intense and unforgiving fighting that took place there during the Battle of Okinawa, and how Doss’s relentless commitment as a medic earned him the Medal of Honor—the most prestigious recognition given by the U.S. military.
Battle of Okinawa
Desmond Doss’ courageous actions unfolded during the Battle of Okinawa. Officially known as Operation Iceberg, it was a major engagement between the US military and the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA). On April 1, 1945, the American forces launched the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific Theater of World War II by landing on the island.
The campaign extended from April 1-June 22, 1945, with the primary objective being to seize control of Okinawa’s key air base, intending to utilize it as a strategic launching point for the planned invasion of Japan. Amid the challenging terrain, US troops engaged in fierce combat with the Japanese forces, capturing various fortified positions, including the Maeda Escarpment, better known as Hacksaw Ridge.
Where is Hacksaw Ridge?
Overlooking Okinawa’s southern coastline near Urasoe, Hacksaw Ridge looms above the remnants of Urasoe Castle, once the island’s most formidable fortress. During the Battle of Okinawa, Japanese troops turned the castle’s ruins into a heavily reinforced bastion, taking full advantage of its height and formidable layout. They further fortified the site by carving out a network of tunnels and underground bunkers within the rocky terrain.
Towering 400 feet above the surrounding area, the ridge presented a grueling obstacle for U.S. forces, who were forced to scale its cliffs without direct artillery support. Its steep incline, however, also meant Japanese defenders couldn’t effectively fire on the Americans until they crested the summit, leading to brutal, close-quarters combat.
How did Hacksaw Ridge get its name?
The name “Hacksaw Ridge” is believed to have originated from the steep, jagged escarpment at the heart of the fighting, though the precise reason U.S. troops began calling it that remains unclear. Several theories exist. One theory ties the name to the landscape itself—specifically, the northern face of the escarpment, where two distinct rock formations, known as Hacksaw Ridge and Needle Rock, are divided by a gap that some say resembles the serrated edge of a hacksaw blade.
Another interpretation leans more metaphorical. In this view, “Hacksaw” reflects the brutal, grinding nature of the battle. The term evokes the relentless push and pull of combat, with the “teeth” of the hacksaw symbolizing the many lives cut down in the ferocious struggle for control of the ridge.
Desmond Doss
Hacksaw Ridge can’t be discussed without highlighting the remarkable heroism of Desmond Doss. Raised as a Seventh-day Adventist, Doss was deeply committed to non-violence and held strong religious beliefs that guided his actions. When World War II broke out, he was working in a shipyard but chose to leave that job to enlist in the U.S. military.
Despite volunteering to serve, Doss refused to carry a weapon or harm another person, staying true to his convictions. Instead, he became an Army medic with the 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 307th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division.
Doss first saw combat in 1944 during campaigns in Guam and the Philippines, where he quickly earned a reputation for extraordinary bravery in rescuing wounded soldiers under fire. Before ever setting foot on Hacksaw Ridge, he had already been awarded two Bronze Star Medals with a “V” device for valor.
The valiant efforts of Desmond Doss
When Desmond Doss was sent to Okinawa, he found himself braving the deadly Hacksaw Ridge. He made the climb alongside the others, tending to the wounded as they went. Eventually, the casualties were so bad that the Americans were ordered to retreat.
Instead of following orders, Doss decided he was going to save as many wounded men as possible. He ran into the killing zone, carry his injured comrades to the edge of the cliff and lowering them to the bottom, where other medics stood waiting for them. He repeated this process numerous times, praying as he went, “Lord, please help me get one more.”
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By the time Doss had done all he could, he’d saved 75 men, although his comrades swear it was more like 100. He continued to fight in Okinawa until May 21, 1945, when he was evacuated after becoming wounded. Later that same year, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.