Recently, US special forces carried out a mission in Iran, successfully rescuing two airmen who had been shot down. As this news spreads, many will respond with a mix of awe, pride, and patriotism—though, sadly, not everyone in the West or in America might feel the same way. This reaction will likely last until the next big news captures their attention.
But where does the principle of “leave no one behind” originate?
The day following the rescue, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extended his congratulations to President Donald Trump and the US forces for their courageous act. He noted:
Israelis are filled with joy at the remarkable rescue of a brave American pilot by America’s courageous warriors. This operation exemplifies how free societies, when united by courage and resolve, can tackle significant challenges and triumph over fear and adversity. This rescue underscores the fundamental value of leaving no one behind.
Netanyahu’s comments struck a poignant chord. He suggested, as have others, that Israelis and Americans uphold this “sacred principle” together. Yet, amidst the praise, I wonder: has anyone addressed a fundamental question that relates to any rescue operation?
Where does the obligation to “leave no one behind” come from?
Its roots are found in Genesis, where it’s stated several times that humans were created in God’s image.
This belief—that all individuals possess inherent dignity and worth, irrespective of their circumstances—forms the basis of why Western societies, grounded in the Judeo-Christian tradition, adhere firmly to the notion of “leaving no one behind.”
If you’re skeptical, consider the military traditions of non-Western nations. Some, notably in the Far East, have embraced Western military values, though it largely remains a Western ideal.
Historically, in cultures outside the West that lack an understanding of the Imago Dei, a person’s value was contingent on their utility to the community or society.
In a military setting, it’s notable that the Soviet forces prioritized the rescue of MiG-15 pilots rather low during the Korean conflict.
Over the decades, amidst dangers like abortion and euthanasia, Western governments have adopted practices that stand in stark contrast to Biblical teachings regarding individual dignity as derived from the image of God.
While much of Western tradition is seemingly waning, the “sacred principles” mentioned by Netanyahu still resonate, especially within the US and Israeli military frameworks.
The idea of leaving no one behind began to take shape during the Korean conflict, when advancements in technology opened new avenues for combat rescues. One key technological advancement was, interestingly enough, the same type of helicopter that was used to rescue the airmen in Iran.
During World War II, an air crew shot down behind enemy lines had little hope of survival or rescue. Years later, in Korea, US Air Force rescue teams showed that combat air rescue using helicopters was indeed possible.
It was in Korea that the ethos of air rescue developed. Rescuers were acutely aware that they were risking their lives, driven by the motto, “So that others may live,” should their comrades become stranded in hostile territory.
But let’s return to the concept of moral obligation. In 2020, I reflected on a specific rescue mission from December 1969, where 336 sorties were flown to assist an F-4 navigator shot down near Chepone, Laos. It was perilous—one medic was killed, and several were injured. Of the helicopters involved, five were irreparably damaged. As historian Dr. Earl H. Tilford Jr. noted, no one questioned whether so much effort was justified for one life. That question simply didn’t arise.
Such a question wouldn’t have made sense because, at that time, Western culture, even if on the decline, still honored the intrinsic dignity bestowed by the image of God in each individual.
