How Americans salute

[GalvestonDuck]

Here's a pic of one of Saddam's top aides who US troops may or may not have captured recently (current reports say military officials deny that they have him in custody). http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=s ... /mdf419180

But that's not my question for now. Notice how he's saluting with his palm facing outward? I remember when I was a lot younger and a friend of mine mentioned that US troops salute with their palms facing inward because we have never been defeated in war and it's a sign of military superiority. Brits, Canadians, Iraqis, French, etc. all salute with their palms facing outward.

I've thought about it on occasion when I see a war movie or a picture like the one above. And every once in a while, I try to search for an explanation on the net or in Snopes to find out if that is true. I can only find descriptions on "the correct way to salute" but I can't find a specific explanation for the differences in how we salute or the reasoning behind the style. That was the one and only time I ever heard anything about it (I was probably 10 or so at the time).

So, has anyone heard likewise or different? Is it a myth or do our troops really salute that way for that reason?

Thanks!

[Guest]

I like the theory behind why they salute the way they do!

[GalvestonDuck]

Yeah, I think it's cool too, if it's true. But you know me...being a skeptic. It's just that it sounds kind of urban legend-esque -- you know how some of them are an awesome explanation or reasoning for something, but not necessarily a true one.

[mf_dolphin]

WHile I heard that explaination when I was in the service I don't know if there's any basis in fact.

Here's an interesting bit on the history of the salute though..

The salute has its origin in another time, when kings ruled, knights wore armor, and courtly manners flourished. It was the Age of Chivalry. The etiquette of the day dictated that, should two friendly knights meet, each would raise the visor of his helmet, show his face, and pay proper respect to the other. Since both knights were completely clad in steel, they could recognize each other as friend or foe by the distinctive emblems and devices on their armor - another custom that still lives. Etiquette also decreed that the knights salute with their right hands. The right hand was the sword hand; raising it was a sign of trust. Even after modern firearms had made steel armor a thing of the past, the knightly gesture of raising the right hand continued to be recognized as the proper greeting between soldiers.

[streetsoldier]

The "open hand" salute, once peculiarly British but used by many countries now, is indicative of the medieval practice of showing the open hand as having no weapon...a sign of friendly intent. This was as common to the knight as well as the yeoman foot soldier (who often didn't have a visor to raise).

Our salute is relatively recent (codified in 1910); prior to that date, the salute was rendered in a number of ways (most common was the right hand at a 45% angle, palm showing, thumb on the forehead), based on Napoleonic/Royal French customs.

[VanceWxMan]

we salute that way showing that we have never given up in a fight and have not lost or shown surrender. So they will never see the palms of our hands.

Aaron

[Lindaloo]

Salute or no salute that guy is one ugly mug. YIKES!!