Posted 4/05/2006 05:14:00 PM by Douglas

How many times do the words "conscientious objector" and "Medal of Honor" appear in the same story? Well, at least once.

The only conscientious objector to receive a Medal of Honor in World War II has been buried at a national cemetery with a 21-gun salute, although he refused to carry a weapon while serving as an Army medic.

Desmond T. Doss Sr., 87, died March 23 in Piedmont, Ala., where he and his wife, Frances, had been living with family.

A horse-drawn hearse delivered the flag-covered casket to the grave site Monday in the Chattanooga National Cemetery. Military helicopters flew overhead in a tribute formation.

[. . . ]

While under enemy fire on the island of Okinawa, Doss carried 75 wounded soldiers to the edge of a 400-foot cliff and lowered them to safety, according to his citation.

During a later attack, he was seriously wounded in the legs by a grenade. According to the citation, as he was being carried to safety, he saw a more critically injured man and crawled off his stretcher, directing the medics to help the other wounded man.

Wow. Makes you rethink that whole 'hero' moniker. This guy's the real deal.

And while I'm at it, who is the only woman to win the Medal of Honor? Dr. Mary Walker, of course!