No matter what country a sailor serves, every navy dreads a man overboard. So props to the Chinese navy for assisting in search and rescue efforts after an American sailor went missing and was presumed overboard the destroyer Stethem on Aug. 1. The sailor, who the Navy has yet to identify, went missing as the Japan-based ship was underway in the South China Sea. Despite the geopolitical tensions of the day, two Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy frigates aided in the recovery effort, greatly expanding the seas that could be covered in the search for the lost sailor. Japanese ships also assisted in the efforts. One Navy official said the Chinese cooperation was a win for protocols set up between nations in the region. The future of regional security remains precarious. But at least this week, near-adversaries were able to work together.

Medals & Misfires is a new opinion feature from the Military Times editorial staff. Medals signify a job well done. Misfires signify a major blunder.

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