1st Consequence - The Cover-Up Flashcards
How long was the massacre hidden from the public and who exposed it?
The event was hidden from American public for more than a year but was exposed by ex-GI Ronald Ridenhour after learning about the massacre through firsthand accounts.
When did efforts to conceal the atrocity begin?
Efforts to conceal the atrocity began immediately.
What did initial official reports falsely show?
Official reports falsely showed a military victory, claiming 128 enemy combatants were killed with one American casualty.
What did Hugh Thompson file a complaint on?
Helicopter pilot, Hugh Thompson, filed a complaint alleging numerous war crimes, however, Major General Samuel Koster downplayed civilian deaths.
What did Hugh Thompson’s complaint lead to?
This led to an informal investigation led by Colonel Henderson, which concluded with the false claim of 20 civilians killed.
When Ridenhour decided to conduct his own investigation what did he do?
It led him to writing a detailed letter to high-ranking government and military officials, few pushed for investigation.
What did Ridenhour’s letter spark?
This sparked a series of interviews that confirmed the war crimes.
When was Calley charged and for what?
Calley was charged with murder in June 1969.
What as President Nixon’s reaction to the exposure?
President Nixon downplayed the massacre as an isolated incident, wary of the potential damage to public support for the war.
What prompted varied public and political reactions?
The event became a well-known story in Time Magazine in November 1969, prompting varied public and political reactions.
How many witnesses were interviewed and how many pages of testimony was compiled?
Interviewing 398 witnesses and compiling over 20,000 pages of testimony exposed the event.
What else was exposed along with the massacre itself?
The lengths military and government officials went to, to suppress the truth.
What did the cover-up highlight during the Vietnam War?
The deep moral and ethical failures.
