My Lai Massacre

• • in March 1968, US troops went into the village of My Lai to hunt Vietcong
  • In the vllage was only old men, women and children
  • in under 4 hours, they were all killed
• after the massacre:

  • military announced a successful mission with 128 Vietcong killed
  • the army organised a cover up
  • the cover up was exposed after an investigation and eyewitness evidence sent to key US politicians
  • a new enquiry began and the truth was reported
  • 1970 - Lieutenant Calley was charged with murder as he led the army
• • public support dropped significantly
  • this reinforced that the people should believe US media about Vietnam and not the government
• • Calley was sentenced to life imprisonment
  • Many thought it was unfair for him to face imprisonent, as he was only following orders, and some thought he was being used to take blame for more senior officers
  • Calley's sentence was reduced by Nixon and was sentenced to house arrest