[encoderer]

I might get downvoted but I want to answer you honestly:

It’s part of American folklore and culture, we do not always live up to our higher ideals but as Americans we take care of our own.

Yes possibly it’s national narcissism but there you have it.

[jacquesm]

Thank you. For me if I had the choice between a fellow country person and some other random individual in the world I'd first look at their relative ages and if the difference is significant I'd pick the younger one.

But I've lived outside of my country for quite a big chunk of my life and don't really have a strong connection to our 'national identity', I don't have a flag and I don't care about our royal family.

[xwdv]

There is also the benefit of knowing that if you are a US citizen, other US citizens would prioritize saving you vs foreign aliens, no matter what.