March 16, 1968 - a day which should live in shame
but about which too many Americans have either chosen to forget or else never learned.
That, for those who do not remember, is the date of the My Lai Massacre.
Troops of the Americal Division, from Charlie Company of the 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment of the 11th Brigade, killed between 347 and 504 civilian, mainly women, infants, children and elderly.
Some of the bodies were later found to be mutilated.
Only one person, Lt. William Calley, was ever convicted - in his case of klling 22 civilians. Sentenced originally to life imprisonment, he served less than four years under house arrest.
When you consider more current atrocities by American service personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan, including the recent murders by a US Sergeant in Kandahar Province that have enraged the Afghan leadership, remember this - they pale compared to what happened 44 years ago.
This was systematic slaughter.
That, for those who do not remember, is the date of the My Lai Massacre.
Troops of the Americal Division, from Charlie Company of the 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment of the 11th Brigade, killed between 347 and 504 civilian, mainly women, infants, children and elderly.
Some of the bodies were later found to be mutilated.
Only one person, Lt. William Calley, was ever convicted - in his case of klling 22 civilians. Sentenced originally to life imprisonment, he served less than four years under house arrest.
When you consider more current atrocities by American service personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan, including the recent murders by a US Sergeant in Kandahar Province that have enraged the Afghan leadership, remember this - they pale compared to what happened 44 years ago.
This was systematic slaughter.