In a system where obedience is highly valued, Petrov sacrificed integrity and career in the military for the greater good. Stanislav Petrov's stand was particularly exceptional considering the tense geopolitical state of affairs and that there were many others who failed to do the right thing in similar situations.
Korean Airlines 007
"6. The order of the commander shall be law for the subordinate. An order must be executed without reservation, exactly, and promptly."
-Soviet Armed Forces Disciplinary Code [24]
In an interview in 1991, Osipovich, the pilot responsible for shooting down Korean Airlines 007, recalled that "[he] saw two rows of windows and knew that this was a Boeing. [He] knew this was a civilian plane." [22]
Nonetheless, he followed his commander's orders and shot down the plane, leading to the death of all 269 passengers.
Nonetheless, he followed his commander's orders and shot down the plane, leading to the death of all 269 passengers.
"My orders were to destroy the intruder. I fulfilled my mission."
-Col. Gennadi Osipovich (ex-Soviet fighter pilot) [21]
Iran Air Flight 665
A tragedy of similar magnitude occurred in 1988 when a U.S. Navy cruiser shot down an Iranian passenger plane. The cruiser misidentified the plane as a fighter jet [17]; the commander on board, unlike Petrov, simply followed the rules of engagement of the Navy. The consequences of his decision were the deaths of everyone on board and the worsening of US-Iran relations. |
“I know you don’t regard yourself as a hero, Colonel, but, belatedly, on behalf of the people in Washington, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, thank you for being on duty that night.”
-Dennis Murphy: Dateline NBC (National Emmy Award Winner-News Reporter) [55]