When he joined the Army, Desmond assumed that his classification as a conscientious objector would not require him to carry a weapon. He was willing to risk his life on the front lines in order to preserve freedom. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, he was working at the Newport News Naval shipyard and could have requested a deferment-but he wanted to do more for his country.

The journey that had brought young Desmond to this day had been a challenging one. I consider this a greater honor than being president.' Truman warmly shook the hand of Corporal Desmond Thomas Doss, and then held it the entire time his citation was read aloud to those gathered outside the White House on October 12, 1945. His only weapons were his Bible and his faith in God.

One of these was placed around the neck of a young Seventh-day Adventist, who during combat had not killed a single enemy soldier. Of the 16 million men in uniform during World War II, only 431 received the Congressional Medal of Honor. Little did he realize that three and a half years later, he would be standing on the White House lawn, receiving the nation's highest award for his bravery and courage under fire.

On April 1, 1942, Desmond Doss joined the United States Army.