Mel Gibson's film loosely showcases the true story of small-town Virginia resident Desmond Doss and his heroic actions as an American soldier fighting in the Pacific against the Japanese forces during the waning days of World War II. Doss, a devout Seventh Day Adventist and believer in pacifism, enlisted into the Armed Forces because he believed in the fight, even though he wished to help out without the need for killing the enemy on the other side, trying to go through basic training retaining his unwavering beliefs to help his fellow man and his country by becoming an unarmed medic.