Vietnam War

My Lai Massacre

What was it?

• On March 16, 1968 between 350-500 South Vietnamese citizens, mostly women and children, were shot and killed by U.S. soldiers.

• They were not armed and they did not pose any threat.

What was it?

• Most of the victims were beaten or tortured.

• Many were lined up and shot while others were chased down and shot multiple times.

Quotes from My Lai

• “Soldiers went berserk, gunning down unarmed men, women, children and babies. Families which huddled together for safety in huts or bunkers were shown no mercy. Those who emerged with hands held high were murdered. Some victims were mutilated with the signature "C Company" carved into the chest. By late morning word had got back to higher authorities and a cease-fire was ordered. My Lai was in a state of carnage. Bodies were strewn through the village.”

• “Some of the people were trying to get up and run. They couldn't and fell down. This one woman, I remember, she stood up and tried to make it — tried to run — with a small child in her arms. But she didn't make it.”

Help Arrives• Hugh Thompson, a helicopter pilot, witnessed a large

number of dead and dying civilians as he began flying over the village — all of them infants, children, women and old men, with no signs of soldiers or weapons anywhere. Thompson and his crew witnessed an unarmed woman kicked and shot at point-blank range by Captain Medina, Medina later claimed that he thought she had a grenade, The crew made several attempts to radio for help for the wounded. They landed their helicopter by a ditch, which they noted was full of bodies and in which there was movement. Thompson asked a sergeant he encountered there (David Mitchell of the 1st Platoon) if he could help get the people out of the ditch, and the sergeant replied that he would "help them out of their misery". Thompson, shocked and confused, had then a conversation with Second Lieutenant Calley, Platoon Leader of 1st Platoon, who claimed to be "just following orders". As the helicopter took off, they saw Mitchell firing into the ditch.

Help Arrives

• Thompson then saw a group of civilians at a bunker being approached by U.S. soldiers. Thompson landed and told his crew that if the U.S. soldiers shot at the Vietnamese while he was trying to get them out of the bunker that they were to open fire at these soldiers. He found 12 to 16 people in the bunker, coaxed them out and led them to the helicopter, standing with them while they were flown out in two groups.

The Cover Up!• The first reports of the incident stated that

128 Viet Cong soldiers and 22 civilians were killed during a fierce gun fight with U.S. soldiers.

• General William C. Westmoreland congratulated the unit on the "outstanding job.

The truth leaks out…

• If not for a few soldiers like Ron Ridenhour and Tom Glenn, no one would have known of these atrocities. Both men sent letters to U.S. Senators and army generals, which led to an investigation.

• Shortly thereafter, U.S. army photographer Ronald Haeberle released the unpublished photos.

• The incident became public knowledge in 1969, it prompted widespread outrage around the world.

The Massacre

The Massacre

William Calley

• Of the 26 US soldiers initially charged with criminal offences for their actions at My Lai, only William Calley was convicted. He served three years of his life sentence.