Don’t cheer boys; those poor devils are dying.
John Woodward Philip
Orion's Cold Fire
All the Secrets of the Universe and Some Really Important Stuff Too!
All the Secrets of the Universe and Some Really Important Stuff Too!
Don’t cheer boys; those poor devils are dying.
John Woodward Philip
Captain of the USS TEXAS passing the burning Spanish cruiser VIZCAYA at the Battle of Santiago and reminding his men that war is Hell, especially at sea.
He showed his humanity.
Reminds me of recently rereading one of my books on the Battle of Midway. One of the famous pilots was flying in the mop up after the battle and was leading a group of SBD’s who came upon a sinking Japanese cruiser with the surrounding sea thick with Japanese sailors who had jumped overboard to avoid the raging fires. He absolutely refused to allow anyone in his wing to strafe the sailors in the water.
A ship was sent to rescue as many as they could.
It speaks well of him as a human being. Maybe it’s a uniquely American thing but kicking someone who’s down just seems evil. Of course there are some enemies that might might one reconsider.