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In '69-71, I flew in the same air frame, PR 32, as the one that landed on Hainan. This was in a war zone..

PR 32 was thumped and then collided with a Chinese J8 (MIG 21 variant) suffering damage to the nose cone and destruction of the radars. The A/C commander regained control of the A/C, and the crew went to "pitch and ditch", destroying all sensitive equipment, jettisoning all to Davy Jones that they could.
The A/C commander brought PR 32 in to a safe landing on Hainan Island....not that he had much choice since he was under escort from other J8s. All in all, a commendable recovery on all parts.
All the Chinese got was a photo op and a battered airframe, which we got back.
We got back an entire aircrew.

I would question if the crews were ever told or given written orders that it was acceptable to surrender the aircraft in order to save themselves. Possible in a changed world.

In my last visit to NSA in the 90s, I had the privilege of long interesting conversations with current Air Force members of the 91 Rec SQ, including the SQ commander, a lady.

Perhaps I missed something but there was never mentioned any change of unwritten expectations.