For Valor or Value An Examination of Personnel Recovery Operations

by Billy D. Thompson

This study attempts to determine the rationale behind the conduct of personnel recovery operations. In doing so, the author first develops the history of rescue within the United States and particularly the United States Air Force beginning with World War I and building through Operation Allied Force. Next, he examines the commonly held beliefs for conducting personnel recovery operations to include sanctity of human life/casualty aversion, loss of a valuable resource, denial of intelligence and propaganda, and impact on military morale. Finally, he distills these reasons down to the basis that the United States has a moral and ethical obligation from the government to the individual soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines, as well as their families. Finally, he describes briefly how the US Government could codify this commitment.

76 pages, Paperback

First published November 13, 2012