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KoedKevin t1_jcra575 wrote

Reply to comment by prophet001 in TIL that in WW2, a Marine Corps Corsair pilot used his propeller to chew off the tail of an enemy aircraft after his guns jammed, while under fire from the enemy plane's tailgunner. The enemy plane crashed but the Corsair pilot made it back to base, receiving the Navy Cross for his actions. by hipster_deckard

They were trained to do this to protect navy ships from air attack. There’s a story about a navy chaplain that was a Catholic priest complaining that it was a form of suicide and therefor a mortal sin. An aviator told the chaplain that they would do their best to get out of the plane as it went down so it wasn’t suicidal.

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TheNotSoGreatPumpkin t1_jcuewyt wrote

Imagine clergy splitting hairs over what is and is not likely to be judged suicidal by God while you’re trying to win the world’s deadliest war.

I mean, just STFU, respectfully.

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obscureferences t1_jcvaada wrote

Morale is critical in war. He needs to ask these kinda questions to do his job.

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TheNotSoGreatPumpkin t1_jcvgbyc wrote

It’s understood, though I’m not sure morale is helped by being told you might be damned for eternity if your actions are too valorous.

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obscureferences t1_jcvhr87 wrote

It's knowing that someone in the strategic process is sanctioning the morality of your actions specifically so you don't fear damnation.

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