Hacksaw Ridge tells the incredible true story of Desmond Doss, a World War II veteran who became the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor for his brave and selfless service to his country. In April of 1945, Doss was a medic serving with the 77th Infantry Division during the Battle of Okinawa. Despite his refusal to carry a weapon, he stubbornly volunteered to join his unit on the front lines in order to treat the wounded soldiers.

Doss and the 77th Infantry Division were tasked with taking the Maeda Escarpment, a steep, deadly stretch of land that was heavily defended by the Japanese. Despite being outnumbered and facing an onslaught of enemy fire, Doss single-handedly rescued over 75 of his fellow soldiers, earning him the nickname "The Angel of Okinawa". Unarmed, he repeatedly braved enemy fire to carry wounded comrades to safety. When he ran out of rope, he used his bare hands to lower men from the escarpment in a dramatic and heroic display of courage.

On October 12th 1945, Doss was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery, becoming the first conscientious objector to receive such an honor. He was also the first soldier to receive two Bronze Stars for his service during World War II. In 2016, Mel Gibson directed a movie about Desmond Dosss life and actions at Hacksaw Ridge. The movie was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and ultimately won the Oscar for Best Sound Editing.