The Unlearned Lesson of My Lai

Part of The Atlantic’s ongoing series reflecting on 1968.
Collection of past articles and reader correspondence on the topic.
Series will be updated through the end of 2018.
Focus on accountability for atrocities in the U.S. history, specifically the My Lai Massacre.

Date: March 16, 1968.
Location: South Vietnamese hamlet, Sơn Mỹ Village.
Estimated civilian casualties: Approximately 500 unarmed civilians were killed, including elderly men, women, and children.
Initial expectation of soldiers: Engagement with Vietcong forces, confronted instead with unarmed families.

Eyewitness account by Seymour Hersh:
- Civilians were systematically murdered in various horrific ways:
- Groups rounded up and shot.
- Individuals thrown into drainage ditches and shot.
- Random shootings in homes.
- More than a few younger women and girls were reportedly raped before being murdered.
- Post-shooting actions included:
- Systematic burning of homes.
- Destruction of livestock and food supplies.
- Contamination of local drinking water sources.
The collective horror of the My Lai massacre is likened to historical atrocities of prior wars such as the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.

The inherent risks involved when sending young soldiers to extended conflicts.
Observation that discipline often degrades in sustained warfare, leading to acts of savagery.
Possible measures to minimize these atrocities:
- Engaging in war only as a last resort.
- Maintaining strict military discipline.
- Holding war criminals accountable for actions.
- Celebrating those who act against war crimes as heroes rather than vilifying them.

Role during the massacre:
- Thompson was a helicopter pilot observing the ongoing attack from above, which he initially believed to be against enemy combatants.
- Upon realizing the situation's true nature, he landed and confronted the American soldiers, witnessing the mass murder.
Actions taken to save lives:
- Used hand signals to direct a group of about 10 civilians to come out safely.
- Ordered his crew to shoot any American soldiers who opened fire on the civilians.
- Called for helicopter gunships to rescue the endangered civilians.
- Reported the events upon returning to base, which led to a halt in planned operations that could have resulted in more killings.

Criticism of the U.S. military and government for letting only one soldier, Lieutenant William Calley, face punishment:
- Calley was convicted of killing at least 20 people.
- Sentenced to life in prison but placed on house arrest by Presidential intervention.
- Served only three and a half years of house arrest before his release.
- Now aged 74.

Upon revelation of the My Lai events, Thompson experienced severe social repercussions:
- Faced accusations of being a traitor or sympathizer.
- Experienced public disdain and criticism, including death threats.
- Did not receive commendation until 1998.
- His actions are subsequently taught as a model of proper soldiering in the Army.
- Died in 2006.
Reflection on the implications if the military could instill similar morals in all soldiers:
- Importance of moral courage in warfare to prevent civilian casualties.

Acknowledgment of the government's ambivalence:
- Failure to prosecute war criminals reflects ongoing issues with accountability in wartime.
- Public oblivion of misconduct among soldiers demonstrates a need for greater awareness.
Recommendations regarding future conflicts:
- U.S. should avoid wars of choice to prevent further atrocities.
- Consideration of potential wartime atrocities should inform decisions on participation in future conflicts.