The My Lai Massacre
What was the My Lai Massacre?
Early 1968, troops of the 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 11th Brigade of the 23rd Infantry Division entered the My Lai area of Vietnam. The village of My Lai was a heavily mined area that was responsible for killing or maiming many men of this division during the preceding weeks. The Village of Son My, where My Lai was located, was located in the Quang Ngai province, which was believed to be heavily concentrated with the Viet Cong, or VC; a political organization in South Vietnam that fought the United States.
When the Charley Company of the division received word that the Viet Cong had taken control of Son My, Lt. William Calley, ordered on a "search and destroy" mission on March 16, 1968. The soldiers were told that any person found in the village were VC, or supporters of, and they were to destroy the village. “We just rounded ’em up, me and a couple of guys, just put the M-16 on automatic, & just mowed ’em down,” one soldier later recalled. Although the exact number of people executed is not known, it is thought to be around 500 people who were killed. They were executed in brutal fashions, including rape and mass executions with machines guns.
When the Charley Company of the division received word that the Viet Cong had taken control of Son My, Lt. William Calley, ordered on a "search and destroy" mission on March 16, 1968. The soldiers were told that any person found in the village were VC, or supporters of, and they were to destroy the village. “We just rounded ’em up, me and a couple of guys, just put the M-16 on automatic, & just mowed ’em down,” one soldier later recalled. Although the exact number of people executed is not known, it is thought to be around 500 people who were killed. They were executed in brutal fashions, including rape and mass executions with machines guns.
What was its effect on America?
Prior to the My Lai Massacre, many people resented Americas involvement in the war. The people resented the draft, the devastation of the war, and the moral aspect of the situation. There were very conflicting views on the involvement in the war. After finding out about the governments attempt to cover up the My Lai Massacre, many people were concerned about the governments intentions in the war. Because the public didn't find out until a year after the episode occurred, they began to question the soldiers tactics used in the war and America as a country.
The support of some Americans towards the involvement in the war stemmed from their belief that they were a strong world power that was helping a country in need. However, as the US saw the death toll rising and there being little positive outcomes, they began to question if it was a good choice to be involved in the war. At one time a country that prided itself on virtue, America was left questioning how something like this could have happened and why it was allowed to happen. Many who opposed the war used My Lai as an added reason to end the US involvement in Vietnam.
The My Lai Massacre also caused morale to drop. Many soldiers began to wonder what else had been covered up and why they hadn't been informed of this atrocity earlier. Before the massacre, many people who were against the war because of the draft requirements and the question of morality in the situation. After the massacre, many people were not only upset at the draft, but also the horrifying US tactics used in the war and the fact that their government was hiding things from them.
The My Lai Massacre was a turning point because of the change in American citizen's views of their own country and their intentions in the war. Before My Lai, many people were upset in the US involvement in something that had nothing to do with them. After the massacre, the US began to question how a country that was once a center of charity and virtue was now contributing to the killing of innocent civilians in a country that didn't want the US involved. The US forced their involvement in an issue that resulted in the death of many innocent civilians. Americans couldn't imagine why the US was still involved after My Lai. They saw the original involvement as questionable, however after My Lai, they saw the involvement as completely unnecessary. With little results and the dead piling up, Americans were turning against their country and questioning their intentions.
The My Lai Massacre also caused morale to drop. Many soldiers began to wonder what else had been covered up and why they hadn't been informed of this atrocity earlier. Before the massacre, many people who were against the war because of the draft requirements and the question of morality in the situation. After the massacre, many people were not only upset at the draft, but also the horrifying US tactics used in the war and the fact that their government was hiding things from them.
The My Lai Massacre was a turning point because of the change in American citizen's views of their own country and their intentions in the war. Before My Lai, many people were upset in the US involvement in something that had nothing to do with them. After the massacre, the US began to question how a country that was once a center of charity and virtue was now contributing to the killing of innocent civilians in a country that didn't want the US involved. The US forced their involvement in an issue that resulted in the death of many innocent civilians. Americans couldn't imagine why the US was still involved after My Lai. They saw the original involvement as questionable, however after My Lai, they saw the involvement as completely unnecessary. With little results and the dead piling up, Americans were turning against their country and questioning their intentions.