My Lai, 50 Years Ago Today

Fifty years ago today, one of the worst atrocities in U.S. military history took place in and around My Lai, Vietnam. During an operation aimed at Viet Cong units operating in the area, after finding no Viet Cong combatants, Army troops from the 23rd "Americal" Division massacred 504 unarmed mostly women, children and elderly people over several hours, some stopping for a lunch break before resuming. Some of the women were gang-raped and mutilated. Vietnam commemorated the 50th anniversary today in a mood of conciliation and hope for the future, now that relations have improved dramatically and the U.S. is a major trading and investment partner.

Lt. William Calley and 25 other men were charged in connection with the massacre, but only Calley was convicted. Despite being initially sentenced to life in prison, shamefully Calley's sentence was reduced to 20 years, and he was released after only serving 3 ½ years under house arrest. One American hero in the atrocity was Army helicopter pilot Hugh Thompson, who intervened before more civilians were killed.  After years of ignoring Thompson's role, the Army awarded Thompson the Soldier's Medal for heroism in 1998, 30 years after his action.