My Lai Massacre Research Paper

Words: 809
Pages: 4
Open Document
The My Lai massacre was a catastrophic war crime event with mass loss of civilian life during the later period of the Vietnam War taking place after the Tet Offensive. This event brought about a lot of controversy that changed the views of war both by military personal and civilian population.
This operation kicked off on March 16, 1968, for which two platoons from Charlie Company of the 23rd Infantry Division moved out onto nine helicopters to search and annihilate elements of the 48th Vietcong Battalion for which were regrouping and gathering strength around the village of My Lai and other surrounding villages. In military views, the operation was a success denying the enemy access to shelter, aid from the villagers, destroying food supplies, …show more content…
When the men moved in few villagers came out of hiding from houses and attempted to run but were shot on sight by the men. They receive message from their radios that the area is hot due to armed Vietcong fighters in the surrounding fields near the village. Moving further into the village more villagers flee from the sight of the American soldiers, they are gunned down and bayonetted. The men then start throwing grenades into homes and hidden bunkers, killing livestock and destroying crops. Then they start gathering villagers and taking them to different sections of the village. “Soldiers begin killing the civilians without pretext. Men are stabbed with bayonets or shot in the head. One GI pushes a man down a well and throws an M26 grenade in after him. Over a dozen women and children praying by a temple are shot in the head by passing soldiers (Charlie Company and the Massacre at My Lai, n.d.) ”.Then proceeded to other village shooting fleeing villagers along the way. Charlie Company commanding officer, “Captain Medina”, reports to his superior Lieutenant Colonel Barker that about 84 Vietcong were killed when in reality they were villagers. “The My Lai massacre reportedly ended only after Warrant Officer Hugh Thompson, an Army helicopter pilot on a reconnaissance mission, landed his aircraft between the soldiers and the retreating villagers and threatened
Show More

Related Documents: My Lai Massacre Research Paper

My Lai Massacre Research Paper

The My Lai Massacre is one of the most traumatic and horrific events that happened over 43 years ago during the Vietnam War that should never be forgotten. Innocent Vietnamese civilians were brutally killed by American soldiers, only following orders from their lieutenant. The massacre entailed the slaughter of livestock, destruction of food supplies, brutal rape and beating of women, and so much more. Estimates of more than 500 civilians were killed during the massacre. The massacre wasn’t reported…

Words 225 - Pages 1

My Lai Massacre Research Paper

Brigade, 23rd Infantry Division created history on the morning of March 16, 1968 when they committed one of the most shocking events of the Vietnam War known as the My Lai Massacre. The My Lai Massacre was a cruel incident in which a company of American soldiers slaughtered innocent civilians in the Southern Vietnamese village of My Lai. The news of the event didn’t surface until a year later when magazines such as Time, Newsweek, and the Cleveland Plain Dealer published images depicting the bloody…

Words 959 - Pages 4

My Lai Massacre Research Paper

The My Lai Massacre is one of the most traumatic and horrific events that happened over 43 years ago during the Vietnam War that should never be forgotten. Innocent Vietnamese civilians were brutally killed by American soldiers, only following orders from their lieutenant. The massacre entailed the slaughter of livestock, destruction of food supplies, brutal rape and beating of women, and so much more. Estimates of more than 500 civilians were killed during the massacre. The massacre wasn’t reported…

Words 225 - Pages 1