‘Hacksaw Ridge’ Hero Receives Posthumous PETA Award for Being Lifelong Vegetarian

PETA Honors Desmond Doss With Award, Flowers on Grave in Chattanooga

For Immediate Release:
February 7, 2017

Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382

Desmond Doss, the late World War II hero brought to life in the Oscar-nominated film Hacksaw Ridge, received a Presidential Medal of Freedom for saving 75 soldiers—even though he refused to touch a gun. Now, he’s been honored by PETA for refusing to touch a steak knife.

Doss, whose religious beliefs as a Seventh-Day Adventist precluded him from taking any life—including those of animals—was honored on his birthday at the Desmond T. Doss Christian Academy in Lynchburg, Virginia. Principal Stephen Doss accepted the award for his school’s namesake from PETA Senior Vice President Dan Mathews in front of the entire student body. PETA also placed flowers on Doss’ grave in Chattanooga National Cemetery. A high-resolution photo is available here.

“Hacksaw Ridge shows how Desmond Doss saved soldiers on the battlefield during World War II and spared animals the horror of the slaughterhouse throughout his life,” says Mathews. Doss was born on February 7, 1919, and died in 2006. On February 26, Hacksaw Ridge will compete for six Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director (Mel Gibson), and Best Actor (Andrew Garfield, who plays Doss).

For more information, please visit PETA.org.