The Kamikaze Decision

The Caine Mutiny

The Kamikaze attack forces Willie and Keefer to choose between self-preservation and responsibility for the damaged ship and its crew.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Impact The Impact from "The Caine Mutiny". The Impact Surprise A Kamikaze approaches without warning and hits the Caine near the after fireroom.

The Impact from "The Caine Mutiny". The Impact Surprise A Kamikaze approaches without warning and hits the Caine near the after fireroom.

The Impact Surprise A Kamikaze approaches without warning and hits the Caine near the after fireroom. Fire, smoke, and exploding ammunition briefly make the ship appear doomed. Split Response Willie assesses the damage from firsthand reports, while Keefer sees a fast-moving catastrophe from the bridge.

An Abandonment Order An Abandonment Order from "The Caine Mutiny". An Abandonment Order Alarm After being wounded by exploding ammunition, Keefer orders the crew to abandon ship.

An Abandonment Order from "The Caine Mutiny". An Abandonment Order Alarm After being wounded by exploding ammunition, Keefer orders the crew to abandon ship.

An Abandonment Order Alarm After being wounded by exploding ammunition, Keefer orders the crew to abandon ship. The public-address system fails, and men begin jumping. Authority The captain’s title gives his command weight, but the ship’s actual condition is still unclear to the men who follow it.

Willie’s Assessment Willie’s Assessment from "The Caine Mutiny". Willie’s Assessment Evidence Willie observes that the fire is concentrated aft, finds the bridge clearing as the ship turns, and hears signs that some systems…

Willie’s Assessment from "The Caine Mutiny". Willie’s Assessment Evidence Willie observes that the fire is concentrated aft, finds the bridge clearing as the ship turns, and hears signs that some systems…

Willie’s Assessment Evidence Willie observes that the fire is concentrated aft, finds the bridge clearing as the ship turns, and hears signs that some systems remain usable. Decision He refuses to treat the first appearance of disaster as proof that the Caine must be abandoned.

A Call to Stay A Call to Stay from "The Caine Mutiny". A Call to Stay Action Willie restores the public-address system and tells the crew to remember their drills, fight the fire, and remain aboard unless…

A Call to Stay from "The Caine Mutiny". A Call to Stay Action Willie restores the public-address system and tells the crew to remember their drills, fight the fire, and remain aboard unless…

A Call to Stay Action Willie restores the public-address system and tells the crew to remember their drills, fight the fire, and remain aboard unless circumstances change. Result The ship’s engineers regain suction and the fire is brought under control, proving that disciplined action could save the vessel.

Keefer Faces the Jump Keefer Faces the Jump from "The Caine Mutiny". Keefer Faces the Jump Admission Keefer tells Willie that he knows he would have jumped even if their positions had been reversed.

Keefer Faces the Jump from "The Caine Mutiny". Keefer Faces the Jump Admission Keefer tells Willie that he knows he would have jumped even if their positions had been reversed.

Keefer Faces the Jump Admission Keefer tells Willie that he knows he would have jumped even if their positions had been reversed. He cannot use analysis to excuse the choice. Legacy His decision becomes a private wound, just as Willie’s decision to stay becomes a turning point in his identity.

June 1945, during a routine passage off Okinawa

Minutes after the strike

Immediately after Keefer moves to abandon

Seventeen minutes after the attack

Later that day, after the survivors are recovered