Mel Gibson may still be a bit of a pariah in Hollywood thanks to a number of public disgraces and offensive outbursts – we won't go into details – but he may be making a comeback with his latest film offering. 

Gibson has been behind the camera in the director's chair after a four-year hiatus and has delivered his latest war film based on a true story. Hacksaw Ridge, a war drama, has been released in the US to rave reviews from critics, even managing to score 87 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes. 

The film is a World War 2 epic starring the Amazing Spider-Man, Andrew Garfield and tells the story of Desmond T Doss. A medic in the US Military, Doss was the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor for his service.

Doss' feats will seem unimaginable to many, especially those who haven't served on the frontline. He was involved in heavy battles in the Pacific Island of Guam and in Okinawa, which is the fight he is most famous for.

During the battles, Doss – who was only 26 at the time – constantly risked his life to save injured soldiers. He would expose himself to gunfire in order to carry the injured soldiers to safety while refusing to carry a weapon himself.

Born in Lynchburg, Virginia, Doss was a devout Christian, belonging to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. When the war broke out, he wished to do his patriotic duty but couldn't come to terms with the possibility of having to kill someone. He was ultimately classed as a conscientious objector but joined up as a medic.

Even medics carried some form of gun or knife, but Doss refused all types of weapons. He was determined that he would never kill another person no matter what situation he found himself in. It seems right, therefore, that he is now remembered for the number of lives he ended up saving.

Doss' first great feat occurred in 1944 in Guam. It was here that he repeatedly braved enemy fire over the course of several months to save injured soldiers, having to fight against heavy rain and thick mud, as well as bullets. The fact that he was a medic also made his position even more dangerous, as his Medical corps emblem on his helmet served as a target to the Japanese, who were taught to take them out in order to damage morale and ensure no one was able to look after the injured.

His bravery in Guam ultimately earned him two Bronze Star Medals.

In 1945, Doss served in Okinawa, with his actions there being what led to him receiving his Medal of Honor. On April 29th, 1945, approximately 75 US soldiers were seriously injured by enemy fire.

While others sought cover from the heavy gunfire, Doss refused and risked his life repeatedly in order to carry all 75 injured personnel to safety. Originally, it was thought that Doss had saved 100 lives, but he contested this, claiming that it couldn't have been more than 50, and so the figure of 75 was decided on as a compromise.

As if all of this wasn't enough, Doss was injured by a grenade on May 21st, 1945, which wounded his legs. Rather than give in to his injuries, Doss put the lives of other soldiers above his own. Instead of calling another medic onto the field, he sorted his own injuries and waited for five hours until someone was able to reach him safely. 

Even after being rescued, Doss gave up his place on the stretcher when he saw a more injured man who needed treatment. He waited in the soldier's place, where he was attacked by a sniper, which resulted in a shattered arm bone. After he had fixed his own arm with a simple splint, he crawled around 300 yards to the aid station. 

While a documentary about Doss' exploits was made previously, Hacksaw Ridge is the first film to be based on his service. It stars Hugo Weaving, Vince Vaughn and Sam Worthington alongside Andrew Garfield. It will be released in the UK on January 27th, 2017. ADNFCR-2867-ID-801828136-ADNFCR

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