Desmond Doss quotes from Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

This is a personal gift from the government of the United States for each and everyone of you. A standard issue US-Rifle United States Army, 30 mm caliber, shutterfly, semi-automatic weapon, designed to bring death and destruction to the enemy. This is to be your lover, your mistress, your concubine, perhaps the only thing in your life that you've ever loved.

Lads let's dance. Grab a girl!

Do not point your gun forward.

I do not want to be shot today ... no matter how much you are tempted.

Bring attention!

Problem private Cornstein?

Was there no one of your size, or is it the color that is the problem?

Desmond Doss

No Sarg.

Desmond Doss

I was told I don't have to carry a weapon.

Come again? step forward private, I can't be hearing this right.

Desmond Doss

Well, I'm sorry sir, I can not touch a gun.

Howell

Are you grinning at me, boy, or is that your natural state?

Desmond Doss

No, Sergeant.

Howell

Name, Private?

Desmond Doss

Desmond Doss.

Howell

I have seen stalks of corn with better physiques. Makes me want to pull an ear off, Private. Can you carry your weight?

Desmond Doss

Yes, Sergeant!

Howell

Should be easy for you, then. Corporal.

Sergeant.

Howell

Make sure you keep this man away from strong winds.

Yes, Sergeant.

Prosecutor

There is only one question that any military court need ask of the accused: do you deny disobeying Col. Sangston's direct orders?

Judge

Well, do you, Private?

Desmond Doss

No, sir, I don't.

Judge

Why are you contesting it, then? Why is it so important to you, given your refusal to even touch a weapon to serve in a combat unit?

Desmond Doss

Because when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, I took it personal. Everyone I knew was on fire to join up, including me. There were two men in my hometown declared 4-F unfit, they killed themselves cause they couldn't serve. Why, I had a job in a defense plant and I could've taken a deferment, but that ain't right. It isn't right that other men should fight and die, that I would just be sitting at home safe. I need to serve, I've got the energy and the passion to serve as a medic, right in the middle with the other guys, no less danger, just... while everybody else taking life, I'm going to be saving it. With the world so set on tearing itself apart, it doesn't seem like such a bad thing to me to wanna put a little bit of it back together.