While most once traditional markers of the West are losing ground, the “sacred principle” expressed by Prime Minister Netanyahu, for now, remains compelling among certain Western militaries, especially America and Israel’s. This no-one-left-behind principle was prominently displayed in the air for the first time during the Korean conflict, by which time technological advances made combat rescue a realistic option. The foremost technological advance for this mission was the same type of aircraft that rescued our two Airmen in Iran—the helicopter.

The writer gratefully acknowledges this powerful, clarifying phrase—moral imperative—as the title employed by noted air power historian, and a mentor and friend, Col. Darrel D. Whitcomb (USAF, retired); see his Moral Imperative: 1972, Combat Rescue, and the End of America’s War in Vietnam.

The day after The Rescue on 5 April, Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu congratulated President Trump and the Americans who pulled off this daring, high-risk mission. Netanyahu said, in part:

All Israelis rejoice in the incredible rescue of a brave American pilot, by America’s dauntless warriors.[i] This proves that when free societies muster their courage, and their resolve, they can confront seemingly insurmountable odds, and overcome the forces of darkness and terror. This rescue operation reinforces a sacred principle: no one is left behind. This is a shared value demonstrated time and time again in the history of both our countries.

As the world knows, both U.S. Air Force Airmen have been rescued in Iran. As the stories begin to be disseminated, many in the audience—but, sadly, not all in the West, or in America—will listen and read with awe, pride, and patriotism. Most will do so at least until the next exciting event comes along.

The Prime Minister’s words were appropriate and inspiring. He stated, as have other early reporters, that the Israelis and Americans share “a sacred principle: no one is left behind” [emphasis added]. But so far, has anyone—including Netanyahu—made an effort to convey what I suggest to be the single most important piece of information relevant to this—or to any—rescue mission?

What could that be, but the

Question: exactly where does the moral imperative of “no one is left behind” come from?

Answer: it comes directly from the first book of the Jewish and Christian scriptures, the Book of Genesis. There we read—no less than four times—that God created man “in Our image,” or “. . . in His own image; in the image of God, He created him,” or “in the image of God He made man.”[ii]

In these passages, mankind is said to bear the Imago Dei, the image of God. This means that the individual person, regardless of status, wealth, merit or demerit, possesses inherent value and dignity.[iii] That is why—in the West where the Jewish and Christian scriptures historically were foundational—our rock-solid commitment has been to ensure “no one is left behind.”

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