Why Save Private Ryan?

One thing that I have to applaud the Americans for is that they have this remarkable military policy, which I’m not sure if our country has. And it’s that ‘No one gets left behind’.

Sounds like a whole lot of bravado, especially for someone like me who have watched the movie ‘Saving Private Ryan’ & wondered to myself many years ago, why in the world would the Army send in one group of soldiers just to save one? Is it really worth risking the lives of this group of men, for the sake of one life which they wouldn’t even know if it still exists?

Here in this book lies the explanation & rationale for this military code of honor –

Firstly & most importantly, leaving any man behind would demoralize your own force… & that is a very crucial factor that could determine the outcome of a war.

Secondly, leaving your own wounded behind could result in them being captured, tortured & even killed, while being interrogated for sensitive information.

Thirdly, leaving no wounded or dead behind demoralizes the enemy! For they won’t even know what hit them… & possibly become afraid why none of the attacking force is injured or dead, when all of their troops are wiped out… & this is how we become a phantom force that strikes terror in their heart.