When I was going through my officer basic course, the very topic came up that we are discussisng. Those who were prior service enlisted like myself split originally the way you and I split on this issue. We would have wanted our parents to be told something other than "your son was killed as a result of general stupidity" or "friendly fire".
By the end of the discussion all agreed that, were they able to do it (not all circumstances would allow it), when it came time to write the parents and loved ones about the death of a soldier under their command, they would opt for the palatable fiction.
Perhaps you have to have been in the position that writing such a letter is a possiblity before you can understand that your "truth uber alles" stance may not always be the best position.
Have you never told a "white lie" to spare someone's feelings? This is what we are talking about.
As for that article I referred you to... take it to the bank. That is what happened. I have that from someone who was there.
You said — “Have you never told a “white lie” to spare someone’s feelings? This is what we are talking about.”
Yeah, I very well understand that idea. I just know what the Bible says about those kinds of things. And, it says that all the truth is going to come out anyway. If it doesn’t get exposed now, it will get exposed later, one way or another — even with all the “saints” (which the Bible means believers/Christians) — and even if we have to wait until then. Everything is going to get uncovered. So, if it’s going to get uncovered, then better to know earlier than later.