(dramatic music) (cannons firing) - It began on the 21st of July, 1944. Allied soldiers landing here at Asan Beach on the Island of Guam. They had to take it back
from the Japanese soldiers firing with machine guns and artillery, dug into pillboxes and caves. They had established
strong, defensive positions all along this coastline. (cannons firing) It would become one of the crucial battles of the war in the Pacific. Many servicemen had to
sacrifice their lives. Much blood would be poured
out on the Guam beaches. Many casualties would be scattered throughout the island's jungle interior. And yet, one soldier would
make a name for himself by saving lives. He refused to bear arms or carry a weapon in the midst of constant enemy fire. He was unwilling to take a life or even so much as touch a weapon. He did, however, say, that he would be proud
to serve his country as a medic if they would let him. He was the conscientious
objector who chose to fight, fight in a way that would help people. He had the wild idea that he
could serve his country at war and also obey the command
"Thou shalt not kill." No one imagined he could pull that off. Most of his comrades
mocked and harassed him. His officers tried to get him discharged, thrown out of the army. But when the men of Company
B assaulted Hacksaw Ridge on the island of Okinawa,
something happened that would change their opinion forever. Medic Desmond Doss would be transformed from the most reviled to
the most revered soldier and would end up being the
first conscientious objector in American history to win the
Congressional Medal of Honour. You're never going to
forget his incredible story. (dramatic music) (sombre music) Here on the Pacific Island of Guam, you can still see remnants
of the Japanese firepower which Allied troops had to face. Retaking this island
from Emperor Hirohito's fiercely loyal and zealous
troops wasn't easy. They were committed,
well-trained, and heavily armed. This was one of the key
spots in the Allied advance to Okinawa and Japan. But it was extremely
difficult and dangerous. The Japanese forces had prepared strong defensive positions
all along the coast. For example, this limestone
outcrop at Agat Beach disguises a Japanese fortress that was designed to pour lethal fire on U.S. troops landing here. It's a deadly stronghold with
massive anti-aircraft guns, artillery pieces, and bunkers, all linked by a network of tunnels. It was virtually
impregnable from the ocean. Here, in Latte Stone Park,
you can still see the entrance to several of the countless
caves dug into the rock face which Japanese soldiers used
to protect their weapons from Allied bombardments. Caves and pillboxes were
scattered through Guam's interior and time after time, advancing marines would encounter withering machine gunfire, from places they couldn't see. The casualties mounted quickly. (waves crashing) Every army has medical
personnel, of course. People who try to rescue
their fallen comrades. Desmond Doss was one of them. He was dedicated to saving
lives on the battlefield. But on the island of Guam, Doss faced a special challenge. While fighting in this jungle, Allied troops began to realise the Japanese were
actually targeting medics. It was their way of trying
to break down morale. More and more were being shot at as they cared for the wounded. So many medics took off their red crosses. They tried to just fit
in with the infantrymen. But Desmond Doss began to stand out. A documentary called "The
Conscientious Objector" was made by Terry Benedict shortly before Desmond
passed away in 2006. In it, Desmond would
recall what it was like caring for the wounded
with intense enemy fire all around him. This man didn't just stick around the battalion aid station,
where he was assigned. He was determined to try
to save his fellow soldiers wherever they were. He even insisted on going
out with the dog faces on dangerous night patrols. - He'd go out, crawl
around amongst our boys and see if they wasn't
dead, they'd carry 'em, wounded, drag 'em back. - [Interviewer] And he
wasn't supposed to do that? - He wasn't supposed to move at night. "Them guys that's wounded out there, "I gotta go see about 'em, that's my job." - But this is what is
especially remarkable about Desmond's experience on Guam. He had been one of the most despised and reviled soldiers in the military. He had barely survived his training days because of his refusal to carry a weapon. Why did this medic face all the Japanese machine gunfire here without ever reaching
for a rifle or pistol? Well, the answer goes all the way back to a picture on his living room wall. - My mother had a picture
in the living room, a large picture, of the Ten Commandments. (gentle music) He would get up in a chair
and he was reading them. And he couldn't understand,
why did Cain kill Abel? - I wonder, how in the world, could a brother do such a thing? To me, it was said, "Desmond, if you love me, you won't kill." And, as a result, I didn't
want to ever take life. (cannons firing) - Then came World War II. Desmond was working in
a shipyard at the time. He could easily have gotten a deferment. Instead, when Uncle Sam
called, he gladly answered. And this young man began his army training at a base in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. His beliefs didn't allow
him to carry weapons. But Desmond still chose
to take part in the war in a way that would help
people and save lives. So he joins up as a medic. The barracks where he
stayed are still standing. Desmond remembers the tough times there. The idea of a conscientious objector wasn't understood well at the time. Several officers insisted he
had to train with weapons, even if he was a medic. Desmond actually wanted to be
a conscientious cooperator. But not with a gun. His buddies didn't take
well to him either. He enjoyed a lot of
harassment, disdain, and abuse. Often, at night, as he knelt
quietly by his bed to pray, they would throw boots at him. They just couldn't understand this guy who would want to obey the
words "Thou shalt not kill" in the midst of a world at war. Some officers tried hard
to humiliate Desmond, to force a weapon on him,
even to get rid of him with a dishonourable discharge. But Desmond perseveres, devoted to prayer and worship,
even though others scoff. He was unwilling to
compromise his convictions. That showed his true
fortitude and character. (guns firing)
(cannons firing) And this is where
everything started changing. As his regiment became
involved in combat missions, Desmond's true courage shines. This is where that weird religious guy became something of an icon. No one else seemed so dedicated to helping his fellow soldiers, even with enemy bullets
whizzing by his head. Desmond was determined to save
life instead of take life. This man had the crazy idea that he could serve his countrymen in
the fierce and bloody war in the Pacific and still
honour God's principle that life is sacred. Desmond himself would put it this way. "I was fighting for freedom
by trying to save life. "Because I couldn't
picture Christ out there, "with a gun, killing people, "but I could think of him out
there with a medical aid kit." After a few months on Guam, Desmond moved on with his company to the Philippine island of Latas. Lots of fierce jungle fighting
was taking place there, too. On Latas, the admiration
of Desmond's buddies turned into something like awe. They kept seeing him scurrying around, carrying the wounded,
under heavy enemy fire. And the man just seemed
impervious to Japanese bullets. Because of Desmond's continual
bravery during this campaign, his superiors recommended
him for the Bronze Star. (dramatic music) But it was here on the island of Okinawa that this unique medic
would truly make history. He landed here with the
77th Infantry Division in April 1945. Okinawa was the last battle fought by the 77th Division and the fiercest. It was the final push towards
the Japanese home islands. The battle was an extremely difficult one, made worse by the cliffs
and the rough terrain. And it all happened here,
at this Maeda Escarpment, also known as Hacksaw Ridge. In May of 1945, the advance
of the 77th Division of American troops through
Okinawa had hit a big wall. This cliff side. They met the most
stubborn resistance here. The Maeda Escarpment rises steeply out of Okinawa's central valley and it runs almost the entire breadth of the island. Here, it peaks in a sheer rock cliff from 10 to 20 metres high. The Japanese had completely
fortified the escarpment. Lots of pillboxes, a maze
of tunnels and caves, and, of course, soldiers
armed to the teeth. They managed to turn back
several all out assaults. This would prove to be the worst battle in the violent Okinawa conflict. But now orders came down
from 10th Army headquarters. This ridge, Hacksaw Ridge,
was to be taken at all costs. There was no other way the Americans could advance towards
a victory over Japan. The first battalion assigned to this area was spearheaded by Company
B, lead by Captain Vernon. Those men were assigned
to attack a pillbox anchoring the Japanese line. And as they waited below this cliff, gripping their rifles, ready
to fire their way to the top, medic Desmond Doss stood
faithfully with them. Today, the Maeda Escarpment is a very green and peaceful place. So it's hard to imagine what it must have been like back then. So, in that documentary, Desmond
and some of his old buddies return to this place to try to remember. - This little depression right here. - One thing they recalled
is that their captain asked for a cargo net to be brought up, the kind they hang over
the side of a ship. The rope net, which
soldiers used to climb down to those landing craft,
it seemed the only way they could get up this cliff in a hurry. And Desmond was actually
one of those three men who volunteered to drag it up here. (sombre music) In a brief, quiet moment, when the enemy had gone
back into their tunnels, he would stand here on this ridge and look down at what he'd accomplished. Yes, Desmond would have
a lot to remember here. He would be asked to pray
for his men in Company B before they began the assault. Soldiers did manage to
climb up that cargo net. They did manage to throw
grenades into pillboxes. Aim flame throwers into caves. But then the enemy fire
would sweep over them again, driving them off this Maeda
Escarpment, off Hacksaw Ridge. The Americans took over this ridge and then were pushed
back down, over and over. For several days, Hacksaw
Ridge changed hands. Many casualties, of course. And the men kept seeing Desmond running down to get
plasma for the wounded, as mortar shells exploded around him. He just couldn't follow
the standard procedure of only caring for men who seemed to have a chance to survive. Desmond saw the possibility
of life no matter what. One of the wounded men, Private John Centola, would remember. - Desmond Doss, you know, he
was working on me and he says, "Take it easy, you'll be all right." And he says, and I couldn't
believe how calm he was, and while he was working on
me, I asked him, I says, "You don't have any weapons." I says, "I'll give you a .45." He says, "No," he says,
"I can't kill anybody. "That's my religion." And I says to myself,
"Here's a warrior," you know? - This very different kind of warrior was just getting started. Now, the men of Company B, covered by sweeping fire from the rear, moved up and over the escarpment and managed to throw a few explosives down a large pillbox entry. A mighty rumble shook
the entire escarpment. They'd set off an
ammunition dump underground. Well, that seemed to be the turning point. But no, it also set off
another Japanese counterattack. Okinawa's defenders poured out of caves and tunnels everywhere,
screaming, firing rifles, and tossing grenades. Captain Vernon ordered the men to dig in. But they were soon
overwhelmed by sheer numbers. Retreat turned into panic, as soldiers rushed madly
back toward the cliff and tumbled down the cargo net. Many were cut down by enemy fire. Only one man remained
here on top doing his job. And that was Desmond Doss, tending to the wounded and fallen. He felt compelled to
get them off this ridge. Desmond had about 12 hours
of light to get them down. He began by dragging them to the edge. And there, he remembered
something that would greatly help: a bowline knot he'd
learned to tie as a kid. Desmond realised he could
make the double loop bigger and slip a man's arms through them, wrapping one end of the long rope around a shattered tree stump, he could lower the man down the cliff to those waiting under cover below. So that's what he did,
scurrying around this ridge, dodging a terrifying mixture
of mortar and machine gunfire. One wounded man after another, taken to the ridge,
lowered with a bowline. The men looking up could hardly
believe what was happening. - Time after time, I saw Doss go back into the enemy, into the
Japanese, and pick up wounded, and bring them there and
let 'em down on these ropes and off of the escarpment. And the bullets were flying
like bees or something, it was miraculous, I couldn't understand how he could do this. - Desmond kept praying, "Lord,
please help me get one more." And he kept succeeding, even
though when he had to stand up at the edge of the cliff to
begin lowering each wounded man, the Japanese had a clear angle
on his head and shoulders. Somehow, none of the bullets
whizzing by caught this medic. Years later, in fact, one
of those Japanese soldiers would actually recall that
he had Desmond in his sights, but his gun jammed every
time he pulled the trigger. This lone medic did
spend 12 hours up here. He was preserving life with a vengeance. He joined the war to help and heal. That day, 75 men would
owe their lives to him. He rescued 75 single handedly, under intense enemy fire,
without ever firing a gun. No one would ever forget that. After the war, Desmond
Doss would be awarded the Congressional Medal of
Honour by President Truman. We're all fascinated by this
kind of courage, of course. We all wonder what makes
someone like this tick. What takes him to such a place far above human fears and weaknesses? Well, Desmond actually made
the reason pretty clear. He spotlighted the source of his courage just a few days after saving 75 buddies. Captain Vernon had to put together one more assault on the Maeda Escarpment. This one would prove the final one. Vernon tried to prepare his men for what he knew would be
the fight of their lives. Some were new recruits sent in to replace the heavy casualties and there was one man Vernon especially wanted
along on this mission. He walked over to a medic, who sat nursing a leg he'd injured in a tumble over the cliff. Captain Vernon said, "Doss, "I know you don't have
to go on this mission, "but the men would like
to have you with them "and so would I." Desmond had become a type of paladin, a champion to his colleagues, guiding them, protecting
them through prayer, giving his total
concentration to saving them and giving them aid. Then he noticed Desmond's eyes, sunk deep into dark sockets,
his shoulders slumped, exhausted, he hadn't even had time to change his cotton uniform,
now covered in the dried blood of the men he'd saved. But this medic didn't hesitate. "I'll go, Captain," he said. But then he asked permission to finish reading a passage of scripture. That's what he did regularly. That's what was sustaining him in these violent and bloody hours: his belief and trust in God gave him his courage and strength through these challenging times. The captain started to object. He knew the entire
American advance in Okinawa was hung up at this one spot. But he nodded. "We'll wait for you," and walked off. And so the advance of an entire army, an entire Allied force, paused, as this single medic tapped into his source of spiritual
strength: the Bible. He bowed his head in
prayer for a few moments, then stood up and tested his leg. Desmond was relieved to
find it still supported him. Now, he was ready. This medic joined his buddies and they finally took
Hacksaw Ridge for good. His Bible, prayer, his faith in God, gave Desmond the courage and strength to accomplish great things. What a long way he'd
travelled from those barracks in Fort Jackson, the most reviled soldier had become the most revered soldier. How different he'd become
in the eyes of those men who once threw their boots at him. They saw this skinny guy with glasses, this awkward youngster who
had a hard time fitting in, they saw him become a hero,
much larger than life, and they would find a way
to express their admiration. A few days after his heroic
actions on the escarpment, Doss was wounded here by a sniper. He unselfishly let a more
badly injured soldier have his stretcher for
evacuation off the battlefield. Later, as he was driven
away in an ambulance, the medic suddenly gasped, "My Bible! "I've lost my Bible!" "It's okay," the driver said, "they'll get you another one on the ship." But Doss wanted his
Bible, the pocket Bible that carried him through
the long terror of war. And he made the driver
promise he'd pass the word to friends at the battalion aid station in case they'd seen it. Well, word did get back to
Company B, and guess what? All those men walked
out through the trees, fanned out over the battlefield, and began poking around shell holes, looking under debris,
retracing Desmond's steps, looking for his lost Bible. They even had to keep an eye out for snipers and booby traps, but they were quite
willing to risk their lives to look for that little book that their incredible
comrade valued so much. They kept looking until
they found the book that had helped create a
Congressional Medal of Honour and they happily sent it back to Desmond. Yes, the man they'd come
to love and respect, the book he so earnestly
regarded as the word of God. Have you ever wondered what
might happen in your life if you went out poking
around for the word of God? Have you ever thought
the Bible could be much, much more than just a
book for religious types? Can you believe that it could
make your life much bigger than you could ever imagine? Well, may I invite you to give it a try? Give it a shot. Why not make it a genuine experiment? Why not see what God can actually do by speaking his words to you? Give the Bible a try. Your life will never be the same again. Let me extend that
invitation to you as we pray. Dear Father, I thank You
for this beautiful picture of how life can be affirmed even in the midst of a world at war. I thank You for Desmond Doss,
showing us the potential power in a relationship with
Your word, the Bible. And so I pray that our
viewers today will take it on, give it a try, and I pray they
will begin to see what power lies in its pages and what a difference it can make to our lives. I ask this in Jesus' name, amen. (gentle music) The story of Desmond Doss,
the conscientious objector, who went to war to help and heal others, has inspired people all over the world. We all wonder what makes
someone like this tick. Well, there was one
source that Desmond Doss got his strength and courage from: prayer and Bible study. It was the Bible that gave him peace in the midst of battle. Have you ever wondered what the Bible might be able to do in your life? It's a book that has the power to transform and change lives. It brings true peace and happiness. If that's what you're looking for in life, I would like to tell you
about the free gift we have for all our viewers today. It's a Bible. The book that brought
peace to Desmond Doss and helped him face
the challenges of life. And it could do the same for you. A free Bible is our gift to you today. Here's the information you need. - [Announcer] Phone or text us
at 0436-333-555 in Australia or 020-422-2042 in New Zealand or visit our website, TIJ.tv,
to request today's free offer and we'll send it to you
totally free of charge and with no obligation. Write to us at GPO Box 274, Sydney, New South Wales, 2001 Australia, or PO Box 76673, Manukau,
Auckland, 2241 New Zealand. Don't delay. Call or text us now! - Until next week, remember the ultimate destination
of life's journey. Now, I saw a new heaven and a new earth and God will wipe away
every tear from their eyes. There shall be no more
death nor sorrow nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. (gentle music) (dramatic music)
