My Lai Massacre Flashcards
What was the US troops group that committed atrocities at My Lai?
Charlie Company
How did many US soldiers feel after the TET Offensive?
Angry and frustrated, they wanted to beat the Vietcong
What had happened by early March 1968?
The US army had heard reports that there was a Vietcong base with around 200 fighters, located in the My Lai area
Charlie Company was ordered to go on a search and destroy mission there
What happened on the 16th March 1968, at 7:30AM?
US troops landed and started firing at buildings they thought might contain Vietcong fighters. Any villagers who tried to run away were shot or stabbed
What happened after the US troops had started shooting?
No Vietcong were found and there was no armed retaliation from the villagers. Most of them were Women, Children or Elderly
How many people did Charlie Company kill?
500 within 4 hours
How did they try and cover up the massacre?
They reported 22 civilian deaths when they returned to base - but said the rest were Vietcong fighters
What happened a year later after the My Lai massacre?
A young soldier wrote a letter to politicians and military leaders, stating what really happened at My Lai
What did 2 investigations conclude about what happened at My Lai?
Charlie Company had killed innocent civilians
What did the final investigation report also recommend?
Action against the soldiers who had raped, murdered and participated at My Lai
What were high-ranking officers charged with?
Trying to cover up the massacre
Who was the only person to go to prison?
Lieutenant William Calley
What did Lieutenant William Calley do at My Lai?
He ordered the attack at My Lai, and had personally killed innocent civilians
How long did Lieutenant William Calley get sentenced for?
Sentenced to life in prison in March 1971, although he was released in 1974
What 4 impacts were as a result of My Lai massacre?
Many US citizens were left shocked and confused about the aims of the war
People began to mistrust the army
The anti-war movement grew and many more protested against the war
The investigations also exposed the low morale of the US troops in Vietnam
