Defiant heroism or wilful disobedience? John ‘Jack’ Hinton and the ethics of disobedience in war

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Victoria Cross is the highest and most prestigious honour within the British Commonwealth military honours system. It is awarded for only the most conspicuous bravery or pre-eminent act of valour, self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy. Yet, in 1941, Sergeant John “Jack” Hinton, a New Zealand non-commissioned officer serving in Greece, was awarded for actions that were, according to his citation, carried out against orders. Against the background of Hinton’s actions and subsequent award, in this paper we consider the ethics of disobedience in war, and when – or, indeed, if – such disobedience can be justifiable. We argue that if the circumstances of Hinton’s actions were as described in his VC citation, then his decision to defy orders was not justified, nor was it, all things considered, excusable.