My Lai Massacre

Overview of the Vietnam War

• Late 1960s: Vietnam War threatening to tear the United States apart.

• Initially, President Johnson enjoyed popular support, seen as a fight against communist aggression.

• Shift occurred after 1968 with the Tet Offensive, leading to increased anti-war sentiment, as this period showed that the North Vietnamese forces were not as close to defeat as previously believed.

Historical Background

Vietnam's Colonial History

• Pre-WWII: French colony; later invaded by Japan.

• Post-WWII: French attempts to reoccupy faced resistance from a nationalist army.

• Decisive battle in 1954 led to Vietnam being divided into North and South.

• North: Led by Ho Chi Minh; South: Traditional emperor overthrown by Prime Minister Nodin Ziyam.

• Ziyam refuses elections as he knows Ho Chi Minh will win, prompting war supported by the U.S.

Escalation of U.S. Involvement

• U.S. involvement framed as resistance to communist aggression.

• After Tet Offensive (Jan 1968), disillusionment grew as it became clear North Vietnam was not defeated.

• Johnson's unpopularity led to his decision not to run for reelection in 1968.

• Nixon elected with a promise of "peace with honor" but continued to escalate the war, including bombings in Cambodia and Laos. Became clear that he did not have a secret plan to end the war as he had claimed.

My Lai Massacre

Initiation and Perpetrators

• My Lai, also known as "Pinkville,” involved Charlie Company of the 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment.

• Ronald Ridenour’s return from duty: affected by stories of the massacre he heard from fellow soldiers.

• Accounts of systematic slaughter of Vietnamese civilians: estimates range from 300-500 killed.

Confirmation of Atrocities

• Brought to light by Ridenour who sought truth from fellow soldiers.

• Men described brutalities: torture, rape, mutilation over four hours without attempt for medical aid.

• Lieutenant William Calley commanded the company and was deeply involved, even taking pleasure in killings.

• Reports of soldiers refusing to obey increasingly violent orders.

• Bernhart was the sergeant who confirmed to Ridenour and expressed moral objections to the actions being taken, ultimately seeking to protect civilians during the horrific events.

The Massacre Process and the Aftermath

Day of the Massacre (March 16, 1968)

• Charlie Company, expecting to engage the enemy, instead massacred civilians.

• Orders by Captain Ernest Medina, unclear if they included killing civilians, led to mass executions. The men were excited to get back at the enemy, and were told that the only people that were left in the village were viet-kong.

• Soldiers acted with impunity, killing indiscriminately: women, children, and the elderly.

Resistance Among Soldiers

• Some soldiers expressed horror and refused to participate in executions Robert Maples was one of them.

• Frustration and disbelief characterized the reactions of those who stood by as the massacre unfolded.

• Medina sent false casualty reports to superiors in an attempt to cover up the extent of the violence and minimize the repercussions for the unit.

• Hugh Thompson, a reconnaissance pilot, intervened and threatened to open fire on his own men to protect civilians.

Investigations and Cover-ups

• General William Peers led the Peers Commission, which aimed to investigate the events of the My Lai Massacre and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

• Initial military investigations attempted to downplay the event, leading to false casualty reports.

• Ridenour’s letter to various politicians led to serious investigations, revealing the extent of the massacre.

• Colonel Barker and others faced inquiry while intermediary military personnel attempted to suppress information.

Legal and Historical Consequences

Trials and Convictions

• Only Lieutenant Calley was convicted, serving a mere three years under house arrest before being released.

• Emotional and societal polarization over Calley's conviction: viewed as scapegoat vs. as a soldier doing his duty.

• Ongoing discussions about warfare ethics, dehumanization in combat, and accountability for war crimes.

Reflection on War Ethics

• Discussion of the moral boundaries during wartime.

• Examination of accountability for crimes against humanity in military conflicts.

• Legacy of the My Lai massacre as a painful chapter in American history and a benchmark for future military conduct.