My Lai Massacre, 1968

What was the My Lai Massacre?

American troops went to the village of My Lai to search for Vietcong. The American troops killed and abused over 500 women, children and old men.

When did the My Lai Massacre happen?

The My Lai Massacre happened on 16th March, 1968, not long after the Tet Offensive began.

Where did the My Lai Massacre happen?

The massacre happened in a village called My Lai, in the Quang Ngai region of South Vietnam.

Who was involved in the My Lai Massacre?

Approximately 80 US soldiers from Charlie Company, a unit of the army's 11th Infantry Brigade, took part in the massacre.

Why did the My Lai Massacre happen?

There were 2 key reasons the massacre happened:

• ❖ Charlie Company was sent on a search and destroy mission, following reports of a base of 200 Vietcong fighters in the area of My Lai. Reports suggested locals were giving them food, shelter and weapons, so Charlie Company was sent to burn all crops, livestock and food.
• ❖ Charlie Company had lost 5 soldiers in the Tet Offensive. Although the unit had never directly fought the Vietcong, it had experienced the organisation's guerrilla warfare while on patrol. It is thought the war had taken a psychological toll on the soldiers.

What were the key events in the My Lai Massacre?

There were a number of key events in the My Lai Massacre:

• ❖ At 7:30am on 16th March, 1968, 9 American helicopters landed near the village of My Lai. It was a Saturday, and it was expected all the villagers would be at the market.
• ❖ Upon landing, the soldiers started shooting at any house they thought might contain Vietcong soldiers.
• ❖ Grenades were used to destroy houses, crops and livestock.
• ❖ Some villagers tried to escape but the US forces shot or stabbed them. This was completely unwarranted; none of the villagers had retaliated and most of those present were women and children.
• ❖ There were also several reports of Charlie Company troops torturing and raping civilians.
• ❖ No Vietcong soldiers were found, and only a few weapons were recovered.
• ❖ Charlie Company returned to base and said 22 civilians were killed by accident, and the remaining dead were Vietcong.

How was the My Lai Massacre covered up?

At first, Charlie Company received much recognition for its efforts. As the truth emerged, the government attempted a cover up:

• ❖ The government announced the troops had killed 128 Vietcong fighters and destroyed their base.
• ❖ However, some soldiers and local inhabitants reported what had really happened.
• ❖ The army attempted a cover-up, but one soldier, Ronald Ridenhour, made his eye-witness account public. He wrote more than 30 letters to politicians and military officials, saying 'something rather dark and bloody' had happened in My Lai a year earlier.
• ❖ General Westmoreland received one of Ridenhour's letters. Although he didn't believe it, he ordered an inquiry. The army later admitted to 20 accidental civilian deaths.

What happened when the My Lai Massacre was investigated?

Two inquiries were held into the events of the My Lai Massacre, one by the government and the other by the army.

What did the government's investigation conclude about the My Lai Massacre?

The government investigation into the My Lai Massacre came to two main conclusions:

• ❖ It interviewed 398 witnesses and the weight of evidence indicated Charlie Company had massacred approximately 347 unarmed civilians.
• ❖ All those involved in the torture, rape, murder and cover up of the massacre should be punished.

What did the army's investigation into the My Lai Massacre conclude?

The army's investigation reported widespread failures and came to several conclusions:

• ❖ There were significant failures in the leadership and discipline of the soldiers.
• ❖ The soldiers were not experienced enough to carry out the roles they had been assigned to.
• ❖ The psychological trauma experienced by the men of Charlie Company created a desire for revenge against the Vietnamese.
• ❖ 25 men should be prosecuted for the massacre, either because of their participation or their involvement in the cover up.

How many were prosecuted because of their role in the My Lai Massacre?

Although the army said 25 men should be prosecuted, and some did face murder charges, only Lieutenant William Calley was prosecuted.

Who was Lieutenant Calley in the My Lai Massacre?

Lieutenant William Calley was one of the soldiers in charge of Charlie Company on the day of the massacre. He was responsible for the murder of 109 civilians at My Lai.

What was the role of Lieutenant Calley in the My Lai Massacre?

Calley played a leading role in the day's events. In accounts of what happened from other soldiers, Calley is reported to have said the following:

• ❖ In response to questions about a group of men, women and children gathered in the centre of the village by soldiers, he said: 'You know what I want you to do with them.'.
• ❖ On returning 10 minutes later and finding the group still there, he said: 'Haven't you got rid of them yet? I want them dead. Waste them.'.

What happened to Lieutenant Calley following his trial for the My Lai Massacre?

Lieutenant Calley was sentenced to life imprisonment. President Nixon received more than 5,000 telegrams in protest as many were outraged by the sentence, believing Calley was only following orders. In response, Calley was confined to an army base on President Nixon's orders and released after three and a half years.

What was the public's response to the My Lai Massacre?

Newspaper reports surfaced in November 1970 that claimed more than 500 civilians had been murdered in the massacre. On 5th December, pictures taken by an army photographer were shown on television, prompting a massive outcry.

What were the consequences of the My Lai Massacre?

The My Lai Massacre had 3 main consequences:

• ❖ It greatly strengthened the growing peace movement. People were repulsed by the atrocities committed by Charlie Company and questioned the morality of the USA's involvement in Vietnam.
• ❖ Due to the cover up of the massacre, people distrusted the government and the army. They did not believe they were being told the full truth about the war.
• ❖ The massacre led to further investigations and, in 1971, it was found over a third of US troops were addicted to drugs. It was clear morale was at an all-time low.