Desmond T. Doss' Medal of HonorPhoto: Getty Images
On October 12, 1945, President Harry Truman placed the Medal of Honor around the neck of Lynchburg native Desmond T. Doss.
To mark the honor, the City of Lynchburg has issued a Proclamation that October 12 every year will be known as Desmond T. Doss Day.
This year, Desmond Doss Day will be celebrated at the Monument Terrace Troop Rally, Friday, October 14, so that the many veterans and patriots who gather there may join in.
Dr. Sterling Wilder, City Councilman from Ward II, will read the Proclamation. Desmond’s birthplace and childhood home is in his Ward.
The Desmond Doss Medal of Honor Citation will be read out loud, which concludes with:
“Through his outstanding bravery and unflinching determination in the face of desperately dangerous conditions, Private First Class Doss saved the lives of many soldiers. His name became a symbol throughout the 77th Infantry Division for outstanding gallantry far above and beyond the call of duty.”
Everyone in the Lynchburg area is invited to stop by Monument Terrace at Church and Ninth streets this Friday at 12:00 pm to honor and remember the service, sacrifice, courage, and great faith of Desmond T. Doss.
Desmond Thomas Doss was born in Lynchburg on February 7, 1919 and grew up in the Fairview Heights area. He passed away at age 87 in Alabama on March 23, 2006.