Legislation to rename the Lynchburg Veterans Affairs Clinic in honor of Private First Class Desmond T. Doss, a local World War II hero and Medal of Honor recipient, has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is now headed to President Biden’s desk for signature.
The bill, introduced by Virginia U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, seeks to honor Doss for his extraordinary bravery and service during the war.
“Private First Class Desmond Doss was a true American hero,” the senators said in a joint statement. “Renaming the Lynchburg VA Clinic after him is a fitting tribute to a man who demonstrated unwavering commitment to his fellow soldiers and to his country.”
A legacy of heroism
Born in Lynchburg, Doss enlisted in the U.S. Army in April 1942 following the attack on Pearl Harbor. A devout Seventh-Day Adventist, he refused to carry a weapon and described himself as a “conscientious cooperator.” Instead, he served as a medic, risking his life repeatedly to save fellow soldiers.
Doss was awarded two Bronze Star Medals for valor while aiding wounded soldiers under enemy fire in Guam and the Philippines in 1944. His most famous act of bravery came during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, where he saved the lives of 75 wounded infantrymen under heavy fire atop Hacksaw Ridge, lowering them to safety one by one. For his actions, Doss received the Medal of Honor from President Harry Truman.
Community support
The effort to rename the Lynchburg VA Clinic garnered widespread support from veterans’ organizations, including:
- Lynchburg Area Veterans Council Inc.
- Salem VA Medical Center
- American Legion Post 16
- Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 196
- Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 1607
- Veterans of Foreign Wars, Desmond T. Doss Post 12179
The legislation was sponsored in the House by Rep. Bob Good (R-VA).
Next steps
With the bill having cleared both chambers of Congress, it now awaits the president’s signature to become law. Once signed, the Lynchburg VA Clinic will bear the name of Private First Class Desmond T. Doss, ensuring his legacy of service and sacrifice inspires future generations.
