But sometimes running away is not even the best strategy for survival.

As described in the Dogfights series, on 8 May 1942 Lt Swede Vetjsa was leading a formation of 8 SBD dive bombers from the carrier USS Yorktown, trying to intercept Japanese torpedo planes. They were attacked by 9 Zeros and Vetjsa was the only one to turn into the attack. Alone, he engaged in a dogfight that lasted over 20 minutes, got 3 Zeros, one by mid-air collision, and made it back to the carrier. Most of the SBDs that did not turn into the attack and engage the enemy fighters were shot down.

My personal belief is that there is no such thing as “courage” in terms of fearlessness but rather simply different kinds of fear. Being more afraid of what will happen if you fail to act than what will happen if you do is what makes the difference.