Italian City Dedicates Park to Adventist Medal of Honor Recipient Desmond Doss

In late May, a public park in Parma, Italy, was officially named in honor of Desmond Thomas Doss, a U.S. Army medic and Seventh-day Adventist whose non-combatant service during World War II earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor. Located between Via Pertini and Via Don Dossetti, the park is adjacent to the Parma Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Doss, who served during the Battle of Okinawa, became the first conscientious objector to receive the United States’ highest military award. He was recognized for saving numerous lives under fire without carrying a weapon, citing his adherence to the biblical commandment “Thou shalt not kill.”

Members of the local Adventist community proposed naming the park after Doss. Former church pastor Franco Evangelisti introduced the idea, and current pastor Giovanni Caccamo continued efforts to gain official recognition from the Municipality of Parma.

The dedication ceremony was attended by representatives from local institutions, churches, scout groups, and members of the community. The program included musical selections, remarks from civic and church leaders, and a formal unveiling of the park’s name.

“Doss teaches us that one can be a hero without resorting to violence,” said Caccamo during the ceremony.

Parma Councillor Daria Jacopozzi described the dedication as a meaningful gesture, recognizing Doss’s life as a reflection of principled service and nonviolent courage.

Doss’s story gained wider international recognition through the 2016 biographical film Hacksaw Ridge, directed by Mel Gibson. The park in Parma now serves as a local tribute to his legacy and provides a space for public reflection on themes of peace, conscience, and community service.

The original article was published on the Hope Media Italy Italian news site.