Warner, Kaine pass bill in Senate to rename Lynchburg VA Clinic after Desmond T. Doss
Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced the unanimous passage in the Senate of their bill to rename the Lynchburg VA Clinic after Private First Class Desmond T. Doss.
The legislation would rename the Lynchburg VA Clinic as the Private First Class Desmond T. Doss VA Clinic.
Doss, who was born in Lynchburg, enlisted in the Army in 1942 following the Pearl Harbor attack. As a conscientious objector to his religion, his faith guided him not to carry a weapon. Instead, he enlisted to become a medic for the U.S. Army and help the American soldiers.
In 1944 while his platoon was in Guam and the Phillippines, he was awarded two Bronze Stars for exceptional valor in aiding wounded soldiers under fire.
However, he is most known for his heroics during the infamous Battle of Okinawa, where he spent 12 hours single-handedly saving the lives of 75 wounded infantrymen. This act earned him a Medal of Honor by President Harry Truman.
“We’re very glad to see our legislation to rename the Lynchburg VA Clinic after Private First Class Desmond T. Doss, a brave Virginian who saved the lives of 75 wounded infantrymen, pass through the Senate unanimously,” the senators said. “This is a great step to honor the tremendous bravery, courage, and patriotism of Private First Class Doss, and we hope the House follows our lead and gets this across the finish line as soon as possible.”
The rename now awaits passage in the U.S. House of Representatives, where companion legislation was introduced by Rep. Bob Good.