A Triumphant Conscience
In September 1943 more than four hundred B-17 bombers flew more than five hundred miles against heavy opposition to reach targets near Stuttgart, Germany. On the way, the flight crew of
The Old Squaw knew that they were in trouble. An attacking enemy fighter had put holes in their right wing tank, which was trailing a mist of leaking fuel. With a slim chance of making it home, the crew faced a fateful decision.
Less than one hundred miles to the south lay neutral Switzerland. Under international law combat crews landing there were interned for the duration of the war. It was well known that living conditions were excellent, not to mention a guaranteed safe return after the war. The navigator of The Old Squaw called over the intercom for a vote. He was startled by the response: “By the time it was my turn to vote, the other nine had all voted to go to England.”266
After a harrowing flight and crash landing in the English Channel, one of the crewmen later explained his vote:
The only thought in my mind was of returning to England and our base. The idea of going to Switzerland and being interned for the war’s duration did not take root at all. I had a simplicity of thought and purpose in those days which stood me well. For 45 years I have lived with a triumphant conscience because we made it back to fight again, which was the duty and purpose for which we were pledged.267
This is an inspiring testimony to the long-range benefit of making a good, but difficult, choice. We especially need a perspective like this when we wrestle with the problems of family and marriage. Our decisions today can have everlasting consequences to our spouses, children, and ourselves. Doing the right thing may be difficult now, but think of the countless blessings of a “triumphant conscience” in the years ahead.
The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
—1 Timothy 1:5