41 years after, Lt Calley finally apologises for My Lai massacre

gizmo555

After more than 40 years, the former US army officer found guilty of involvement in the massacre of women and children in the Vietnamese village of My Lai during the war has made a public apology.

"There is not a day that goes by that I do not feel remorse for what happened that day in My Lai," former lieutenant William Calley told members of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Columbus, Georgia. "I feel remorse for the Vietnamese who were killed, for their families, for the American soldiers involved and their families. I am very sorry."

Mr Calley spoke on Wednesday, but due to a restricted audience his remarks did not become known until now.

Mr Calley (66), was a young lieutenant when a court martial at nearby Fort Benning convicted him of murder in 1971 for killing 22 civilians during the infamous massacre of 500 men, women and children. Though sentenced to life in prison, Mr Calley ended up serving three years under house arrest after then-president Richard Nixon later reduced his sentence.

He did not deny taking part in the massacre but insisted he was following orders from his superior, Capt Ernest Medina. Capt Medina was also tried by a court martial in 1971 and was acquitted of all charges.

He was the only person convicted in connection with the killings, although other soldiers were charged.

After his release Mr Calley returned to civilian life and had until now shied away from publicity and interviews about My Lai.

The killings on March 16th, 1968 in the South Vietnamese hamlet of My Lai prompted widespread outrage around the world when they eventually emerged after an initial attempt to cover them up.

They are also credited with advancing the end of the Vietnam War because they significantly undercut US public support for the war effort.
The massacre began when men of Charlie Company under the command of Lieutenant Calley opened fire on civilians during a "search and destroy" mission in My Lai and neighboring villages.

The targets of the killings were mainly old men, women and children - all unarmed - as most younger members of the community were working in the fields. The exact toll remains in dispute, but US estimates suggest that between 347 and 504 unarmed citizens were killed.

William Eckhardt, the chief prosecutor in the My Lai cases, said he was unaware of Mr Calley ever apologising before.

“It’s hard to apologise for murdering so many people,” said Mr Eckhardt, now a law professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. “But at least there’s an acknowledgement of responsibility.”

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0822/breaking7.htm

marco murphy

Scum.

BigDuffman

Cant believe these filth were never called to answer for their atrocities..its amazing what the Americans can excuse during war-time.

The American War Crimes museum in Hanoi has a disturbing exhibit on the Massacre.

The only man of Moral Substance was the helicopter Pilot (who's name sadly escapes me) who intervened threatening to open up on the soldiers in question if they did not stop the massacre.

He was subsequently lambasted by his own for being a "Turncoat and Charlie Lover".

Local-womanizer

BigDuffman wrote: »

Cant believe these filth were never called to answer for their atrocities..its amazing what the Americans can excuse during war-time.

The American War Crimes museum in Hanoi has a disturbing exhibit on the Massacre.

The only man of Moral Substance was the helicopter Pilot (who's name sadly escapes me) who intervened threatening to open up on the soldiers in question if they did not stop the massacre.

He was subsequently lambasted by his own for being a "Turncoat and Charlie Lover".

I cant remember his name either,but him and his crew chief where both lambasted as you said.Disgrace so it is.

gizmo555

Local-womanizer wrote: »

I cant remember his name either,but him and his crew chief where both lambasted as you said.Disgrace so it is.

The pilot concerned was the late Hugh Thompson - truly a good man in evil times.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Thompson,_Jr.

Delta Kilo

There is a good documentary about the My Lai massacre on youtube. In it, they interview the pilot and some of the soldiers involved who tried to explain their actions.

Some of the soldiers have little remorse for what they did. Absolute scum.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYzb9DH7YAE

helimachoptor

The helicopter commander was WO Hugh Thompson jr, would have been interesting to see if his crew would have followed his orders to fire at fellow soldiers.

Local-womanizer

I remember seeing a documentry where the crew chief mentioned Lt Calley and what he saw.I think they landed the chopper between the troops and villagers and got out to try and prevent the massacre.He was saying it was like the soldiers were possessed.

Terrible situation for the crew of the chopper to find themselves in,the moral dilemma they faced most have been horrific,kill fellow soldiers to save villagers and face certain court martial or just watch the slaughter of innocents.

Although its comforting to see humanity in such a theatre.

pmg58

The whole way in which it was handled makes a mockery of the Nuremberg Trials in my opinion. Very hypocritical.

Ping Chow Chi

3 days! ... thats all that anyone who was a part of that wholesale slaughter and rape got?

that just seems so wrong it can not be right

pmg58

No it was 3 years...of house arrest, which I assume is sort of like being grounded.

Ping Chow Chi

the documentry said he served 3 days of his sentence before being put under house arrest

I bet sadam wished he was subjected to a simalar trial

pmg58

My mistake. But thats still pretty harsh compared to what Captain Medina got: nothing!

Its only manners init