William Calley apologizes for My Lai massacre
Nearly 40 years after the fact, William Calley, the former Army lieutenant convicted on 22 counts of murder in the infamous My Lai massacre in Vietnam, has apologized for the incident.
This from the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer:
“There is not a day that goes by that I do not feel remorse for what happened that day in My Lai,” Calley told members of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Columbus on Wednesday. His voice started to break when he added, “I feel remorse for the Vietnamese who were killed, for their families, for the American soldiers involved and their families. I am very sorry.”
In March 1968, U.S. soldiers gunned down hundreds of civilians in the Vietnamese hamlet of My Lai. The Army at first denied, then downplayed the event, saying most of the dead were Vietcong. But in November 1969, journalist Seymour Hersh revealed what really happened and Calley was court martialed and convicted of murder.
0821Calley had long refused to grant interviews about what happened, but on Wednesday he spoke at a Columbus Kiwanis meeting. He made only a brief statement, but agreed to take questions from the audience.
He did not deny what had happened that day, but did repeatedly make the point — which he has made before — that he was following orders.
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40 comments Add your comment
DAVID
August 21st, 2009
11:27 am
Irrelevant, really…How many Union soldiers ever apologized for mass killings of native Americans…In 2009, is totally irrelevant.
The Snark
August 21st, 2009
11:37 am
Irrelevant? Really? I suspect that Hugh Thompson and Ron Ridenhour might disagree with you on that.
http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/mylai/myl_hero.html
dgroy
August 21st, 2009
11:38 am
The Army and politicians needed a scapegoat and he was chosen
Will Jones - Atlanta
August 21st, 2009
11:43 am
There is nothing more noble than to serve under arms as a U.S. Army Officer…unless the Congress permits a traitor president to pursue false war after having assassinated our righteous leader six weeks after he ordered our military’s withdrawal from the papal fiefdom of Vietnam, as in the case of Richard Nixon: the pervert who commuted Calley’s sentence.
Calley was an unquestioning tool working out evil karma with Medina and Koster…and Colin Powell.
Thank G-d none of those scum is from Georgia but Hugh Thompson, Jr., the hero patriot who single-handedly stopped the whitetrash Calley and papist Medina from further mayhem at My Lai, is a true example of the virtue and blood Georgia knows is her own.
May G-d bless the memory of Hugh Thompson, Jr..
Calley’s crimes shall follow him to his grave. He is accursed as are those whose orders he failed to refuse, those who murdered John Kennedy, and have lately committed 9/11.
http://theamericanfundament.blogspot.com
Death for Treason
Dana
August 21st, 2009
11:50 am
A forty year old (and late) apology is useless and meaningless……..all of the horrors of that costly era did nothing to remind our leaders of the senseless killing and deaths created by unjust and unnecessary wars.
Lisa T
August 21st, 2009
12:17 pm
If remorse is heartfelt, it’s never too late for an apology.
John Payne
August 21st, 2009
1:13 pm
As a United States Army Vietnam Veteran who was drafted, trained as an soldier and asigned to the First Cav in Vietnam, then dropped into the jungles and yes ordered to engange & destroy as trained. Please do not pass judgment on anyone that fought and served under the Flag of the USA. I feel sorry for all the causalties that occured from all the countries fighting then and now. War is “Hell” and even those who did not die in battle still suffer ever day. Please pray for us all as we each carry burdens of life with us daily. Please if you know William Cally, (my fellow american) tell him that we all serve a very loving and forgiven God who still loves us all.
EDWIN TRAN
August 21st, 2009
2:23 pm
Please do not forget the million of Orange Agent victims in Vietnam!
Death is easiest part ‘sorry can accepted’, lives with the horror and suffers can never be forgive!
Edwin TRAN
Malachi Mcphee
August 21st, 2009
2:35 pm
I think the vietnam war emotionally did a lot to this country we to learn from it honor those who served and those who died in both countries. Does it really take a man to die for his country to prove that he loves it?
Lisa T
August 21st, 2009
2:36 pm
I should have added “…and it’s never too late to forgive.”
Peace be to you and thank you for your sacrifices, John Payne, William Calley, and all the others who have served on the front lines. “Leaders” come and go, but war and its accompanying inhumanities seem to be a constant in this world of sadness. I don’t call myself religious but I do believe love, compassion and forgiveness are our best hope of salvation – personal and global.
Dana
August 21st, 2009
2:36 pm
Sorry John Payne…judgement needs passing on those who would dare murder children, women, and the elderly and excuse the action of war being “hell”. I pray each day for the safety of our patriots who are doing battle in that god-awful part of the world and I am extremely appreciative of the sacrifices that all veterans of the past have contributed to the safety, security and success of our country…however, mass murders of civilians like the My Lai indident can’t be defended.
Coastal Cavalier
August 21st, 2009
2:39 pm
“A forty year old (and late) apology is useless and meaningless……..”
Could you say the same thing about the government’s recent “apology” for slavery 150 years after the fact?
Dana
August 21st, 2009
3:24 pm
Coastal Cavalier….most definately….what purpose does an apology have when it comes from people who had absolutely nothing to do with that ugly story of our history? Does that apology really make anyone feel “better” about that institution of enslavement? I doubt it….
Dana
August 21st, 2009
3:37 pm
Coastal, that’s apples and oranges…at least Calley was there and his apology is for what he did…..a government apology that includes nobody remotely involved makes no sense.
EDWIN TRAN
August 21st, 2009
3:48 pm
We shamed a murder, but we are written poems for the genocide as humanitarian.
WHY?
Will Jones - Atlanta
August 21st, 2009
4:10 pm
The American People is guilty with Calley until we bring to justice the traitors and assassins who sent us to Vietnam as military catspaw for the Roman latifundium, which just “happens” to be the same sectarian faction which cheated Bush and Cheney into office and committed 9/11. America’s Founder called it “the real Anti-Christ.” Anyone here thinks him or herself smarter than Jefferson?
We must “sweep evil from the land.”
Dennis
August 21st, 2009
5:18 pm
My Lai was avery bad place I was there in 1967 a few times and every time the good people of My Lai would protect the v.c. and let us hit booby traps or ambushes, you can only take so much just ask John Kerry he shot a 13 year old in the back and got a medal!
Will Jones - Atlanta
August 21st, 2009
6:01 pm
Kerry, a papist married to a billionaire, is Skull and Bones, and was probably just a “stalking horse” to ensure a second term for the homosexual draft-dodger Bush cheated into office by only the Roman Catholics on the SCOTUS to commit 9/11…but you’re a liar “Dennis,” not innocently ignorant.
Kerry’s Silver Star was for killing a VC combatant who was especially posted there to defend well the area hit by Kerry’s swiftboats. Did you watch the interview of the Vietnamese who were there, in the village, when it happened? I believe it was on “Frontline,” many of whose projects seem to have journalistic integrity.
EDWIN TRAN
August 21st, 2009
6:54 pm
What was VC? Was it a He, or may be was a She? Were they raping your little girl? Were they holding an M16 aims at your children and women? Were they stealing your money from you bank accounts? Were he and she a threat your family and nation? What was so bad being VC? No one here realized what a VC was, may be a VC has so much responsibility protecting his/her, and or the nation’s identity and independent? A VC borrows an American Independent Declaration on their behalf to win the heart of the nation and world. I am telling you that a VC has a family, a mum and dad and sibling and a job protecting like any other American patriot. Many VC were Buddhism, Catholic, Ancestor Worship, Muslim, Ca Dai, Protestant, even Anglican. To the eye of the American people VC were bad and should be killed… a VC was a Vietnamese freedom fighter for their own right to be rule and governed by themselves and similar to the American who fought against the British for your independent.
Cally, I do not know how you can go on living for what you did, everyone here has the right to talk; some were angry and some do not have a clue, but what you really should do is looking for method to enable to forgive yourself and free from your soul. The Vietnamese are willing forgive you what has happened, but can you forgive yourself? All I know that you have the courage to keep yourself all this long deep in your heart and soul.
Have you ever read any history of Vietnam under different Dynasty; many former kings later went on to become Buddhist monks to ask for their soul to be forgiven for what they did, and even they were the protectors of our nation from invasions and killed only the enemy.
PEACE IS THE ONLY METHOD TO FORGIVE YOU ….
Patric B
August 21st, 2009
7:41 pm
Dana, judgment will be passed as it is needed. But that which we can see now with clarity might not have appeared to be the same at the time. Operating in dangerous areas where the local populace allowed troops to trip mines, stumble into ambushes, etc certainly clouded the senses of the soldiers on the ground. The political bent at the time, popular sentiment, all of those things came into play when decisions wee made. Wrong is still wrong and will always be so, but there are times in every ones lives when black seems to be white and white seems to be black. To me, it sounds as though Calley bears the marks of that on his soul and feels the remorse that comes with it.
Lisa T summed things up very eloquently in my mind regarding forgiveness. Scabs heal over into smooth flesh, but scars are caused by picking at the wounds. Let us allow this wound to heal for both those who died and those who still live and bore witness. To forgive is the most vital part of healing. To forgive often requires more effort than the original act. After Calley’s speech I think we will see where the effort lies on our part. I think we can do the right thing.
Bao
August 21st, 2009
9:00 pm
My Lai has lived in the American consciousness as an attrocity, but it has been useful to allow Americans to think that those things didn’t happen much, and when it did, court martials were held. But in fact, My Lai was one of many hundreds of villages where rape, multilation, and murder did occur. The Tiger Force attrocities were brought to light a few years back, and got small mention. Surprisingly, I do appreciate Calley for speaking up before he goes to his grave. I only hope that tens of thousands of other American men stand up and admit the same, that they committed atrocities against defenseless farmers.
Dr Field
August 21st, 2009
9:02 pm
You are a butcher Lt. Calley. Nearly 300 Vietnamese villagers were murdered by you, many of them babies, small children and old people. You will meet your maker soon Calley and he will show you your special place in hell, one where “I’m sorry” will not be enough.
T. G.
August 21st, 2009
10:29 pm
Read the following from Wikipedia and weep:
“The My Lai Massacre (Vietnamese: thảm sát Mỹ Lai; English pronunciation: /ˌmaɪˈleɪ, ˌmaɪˈlaɪ/ ( listen),[1] Vietnamese: [mǐˀlaːj]) was the mass murder conducted by a unit of the U.S. Army on March 16, 1968 of 347 to 504 unarmed citizens in South Vietnam, all of whom were civilians and a majority of whom were women, children, and elderly people.”
“Many of the victims were sexually abused, beaten, tortured, and some of the bodies were found mutilated.[2] The massacre took place in the hamlets of Mỹ Lai and My Khe of Sơn Mỹ village during the Vietnam War.[3][4] While 26 US soldiers were initially charged with criminal offenses for their actions at My Lai, only William Calley was convicted. He served only three years of an original life sentence, while on house arrest.”
“When the incident became public knowledge in 1969, it prompted widespread outrage around the world. The massacre also reduced U.S. support at home for the Vietnam War. Three U.S. servicemen who made an effort to halt the massacre and protect the wounded were denounced by U.S. Congressmen, received hate mail, death threats and mutilated animals on their doorsteps.[5] Only 30 years after the event were their efforts honored.[6]”
So, while Lt Calley may have been singled out from the others who committed the atrocities, he is still a murderer no less. Because as you read the above you see that those who were killed were civilians. With a “majority” being women, children and the elderly.So does this kind of atrocity need any further explanation? Because we’ve certainly seen this kind of thing before in Nazi Germany. In short, can we afford to hide the truth because we are Americans?
And moreover, after reading the Wikipedia excerpt, can you honestly say this was a situation where “black is white” and “white is black” as the above suggests? And if so, why did three soldiers go out of there way to stop the killing?
And finally, if Lt Calley honestly feels remorse, why isn’t he apologizing to the families of the slain VC?
C.J.
August 21st, 2009
10:43 pm
There can be no double standard: we still actively prosecute, or deport for justice, Nazi murderers of non-combatants. I believe that if any Japanese murderer of American civilians or servicemen came to light today, nobody on these boards would say “forgive and forget”. The fact that one of our own did it was deplorable, is deplorable, and should always be deplorable. Nobody who participated in the massacre received justice; shame.
T. G.
August 21st, 2009
10:55 pm
VC in this case means Vietnamese civilians.
Tate
August 22nd, 2009
1:08 am
I was at My Lai on March 16th, 2008 for the 40 year observance of that very dark day in US history. Two things will always stand out for me when I think back on my visit. The events of that day in 1968 were not over with a single burst of gunfire. It went on through many hamlets over several hours. It is not clear that Thompson’s heroic actions put an end to the insanity that day although he certainly saved many people. The most chilling part of my experiance that day is the way I was recieved by every person I met there who knew I was an American. Not a single negative word or gesture, only appreciation for my coming to witness the day and to let these people know many Americans are deeply sorry. I was told countless times they look to the future and leave the past behind. I came away from my several months in VN knowing I have a lot to learn from these people living their very simple life as rice farmers.
Will Jones - Atlanta
August 22nd, 2009
4:09 am
The Vietnamese know the Roman Catholic colonization their country experienced, as the global cancer it is, recognized by America’s Founder as “an engine for enslaving mankind,” and “the real Anti-Christ” – the commanding general of the conquering colonizing army in the 1700’s was a Jesuit priest – infected the philosophical model Ho Chi Minh so wished to emulate in his decades’ long fight for independence: The United States of America.
Vietnam has removed the Roman cancer from its body politic. We must as well, to survive as a free people, and to prove out Our Creed: Annuit Coeptis.
May G-d bless America once more.
Death for Treason
EDWIN TRAN
August 22nd, 2009
4:18 pm
William Calley,
The only way you sorry in a whole-hearted way are you must go back to My Lai and face those survivals with members of their families killed and ask them for forgiveness.
It seems to me you are saying sorry to the American public, the American will forgave you, but NOT the death you killed … It is important that the death forgave you, or you will not ever at peace!
The Sarge
August 23rd, 2009
6:16 pm
Gens Patton and LeMay, and 1/lt Calley, and countless thousands of military leaders throughout the history of armed conflict, all have one thing in common…they performed their duties, no matter how personally repulsive, in the best manner they humanly could. As our national mores are prone to “periodic alteration”, that which one day might earn high praise will, “the next day”, draw castigation and scorn from all corners. The LeMay Treatment, a tactic in dealing with a stuborn Japanese foe in the closing days of WWII, certainly brought indiscriminate suffering to combatants and civilians alike. The “mores of war” held that, in essense, it was better to kill a relatively few of theirs’ now than a whole bunch of ours’ later. Fast-forward to those dark days of RVN…it was difficult, if not impossible, to differentiate friend from foe, sympathizer from supporter (this statement, in no way, serves as justification, but simply as indication of the fluid “and often confusing” dynamics of war). It has always been my “assumption” that Cpt Medina, Calley’s Company Commander, issued the order to his Platoon Leader based on the best-available intelligence at the time. Therefore, I, and many of my contemporaries at the time, have always been somewhat stymied at the fact that Medina escaped any-and-all retribution.
As far as the timing of Mr. Calley’s motivation in issueing an appology over 4 decades after the fact…he may actually feel a level of remorse over his “moment of shame”; something which he has had to carry within him for so many years. Then again, inasmuch as Mr. Calley is/was a successful Columbus businessman (I believe in the jewlery business), there appears to be a somewhat strange coorelation between his apology and the audience to which it was issued. Only Lieutenant Calley knows.
Chuck Uga
August 24th, 2009
12:09 am
Hey Will Jones – the asylum is looking for you. You have once again missed your medication. I’d love for you to publicly say that to my face you hypocritical, ignorant hater. It amazes me that the “good ‘ole South” still maintains a body politic that HATES Catholics. What a relic you are, but I guess some of that backward-thinking, hate-filled activist non-sense still exists. Good god man, George Bush is/was no Roman Catholic. Neither was Cheney. You need to rejoin your hero Tony Alamo….what, he’s indicted and serving a lfe term for child rape and molestation. Oh well, what’s the difference? Probably fits your profile. You and your ilk are the REAL POISON in America.
Will Jones - Atlanta
August 24th, 2009
12:20 am
George W. Bush’s grandfather, the money conduit from Vatican banker Rockefeller and the Roman Catholic collection plate’s millions to the author of “I Paid Hitler,” papal baron Fritz Thyssen, “The Rockefelller of Germany” (because all Europe knew the money Bush gave him was Rockefellers’), was, with Thyssen, a Knight of Malta: the pope’s “loftiest” fraternity of Europe’s and America’s Roman Catholics sworn to “win the world for the pope,” even though he called himself an “Episcopalian.”
Look it up.
Rome is fascism and child molestation…which is why America’s Whig Founder called it “the real Anti-Christ” more than a hundred years before it committed the Holocaust.
“Annuit Coeptis” is America’s Creed. There is but One G-d, all else is sectarian factionalism.
Sweep evil from the land: try and fry Bush and Cheney, and all who wish to stand with traitors.
Chuck Uga
August 24th, 2009
12:20 am
Coastal Cavalier, the injustice of slavery was not unique to America. It was world-wide, and still exists today. You just never hear it because of the shroud of secrecy and a different purpose (sex instead of crops).
One note about Vietnam. It was a senseless, useless war that was almost toally politically motivated. Robert McNamara, who recently died, was instrumental is the continuation of the conflict long after it should have ended. Mai Lai was surpassed by other atrocities in other areas (Cambodia for instance), but it is a symbol of what was truly a totally useless war. I have no dount the conspiracy around the death of John Kennedy HAD to have involved the fact he wanted us OUT of Vietnam. Look at the war machine it created that lined many a pocket with money similar to the Iraq conflict of Mr. Bush and Mr. Rumsfeld. Nothing good truly comes from participation like this unless you count yourself a stocholder of a government defense contractor. Well, Sadaam is dead, but that’s about the extent of it.
Chuck Uga
August 24th, 2009
12:29 am
That’s right, Will. We Catholics put money in the collection every Sunday and conspire to support terrorism inside our own country. No doubt our non-Catholic friends Bush and Cheney ran this for us. We are all for it. So you and your ilk must “rid America” of the millions of us evildoers. Good luck!
Please seek help for your condition. You are a danger to yourself and others.
EDWIN TRAN
August 24th, 2009
6:20 am
http://blog.acton.org/archives/11675-acton-commentary-corruption-communism-and-catholicism-in-vietnam.html/comment-page-1#comment-6388
EDWIN TRAN
August 24th, 2009
6:29 am
Obama was Muslin converted to Catholics? Who are you going to blame at using your Sunday collection? I do not understand why each time every one of us visits a Church to look for god and harmony and was a must paid to see him. I thought Jesus got rid of the idea worshipping at temple and god places?!!!
TRAN TIEN
August 24th, 2009
9:52 am
WHO SAID A SINGLE MAN CAN NOT DESTROYED HIS COUNTRY?
W CALLEY DID JUST THAT FOR AMERICA!!!!!!!
ishrok
August 30th, 2009
9:41 am
1.yes what he did was wrong but if he was following oders is he really 2 blame it should be the one who issued the oders..yes he could have said no but probally would have been court martialed anyway so whats the difference.
2.what do u think other military forces would do 2 our people if they were on our soil.they would care less like they have done for years and what about 9-11 they did it with no problem i think our military should grow a pair and do unto other what they would do 2 you.shure thats a pretty crappy way 2 think but if we are so soft other military forces take advatage of the fact and use it against us.
3.and if the american people really knew what they were doin 2 our soliders let alone there own people i really dont think they could care what calley did 2 theres..and who’s 2 say they werent vc..its all those tree hugging hippies and the crap they were doin that made our country look bad.bashings soldiers who were serving our country,besides the fact whe shouldnt even have been over there in the first place..its jus like the u.s 2 but in other peoples problems we need 2 learn 2 let other countrys settle there own problems ive said enough.
much respect 2 all the soldiers who served over there and world war 1,2 korea,iraq,and prestent day afghanistan..
Doc
September 4th, 2009
4:10 pm
I consider Calley’s “mea cupla” to be in the same category as Robert McNamara’s — too little, too late and much too self-serving. I remember John Kerry’s self-serving testimony about alleged brutalities committed by American soldiers, too. I was an American soldier – I served in Vietnam. I knew that I was capable of refusing an immoral and illegal order, and would have done so. I never would have opened fire at My Lai — nor would any of my military brothers. Although it became fashionable for Hollywood directors to paint Vietnam soldiers as murderous monsters, most notablty in movies such as Platoon, when I served, between 1967-68, I knew of no atrocities. Occasional illegal activities on the part of a few psycho, criminal types did occur, as they will anywhere, and those responsible were duly arrested and charged. I served with honor, did the job I was supposed to do and came home to get on with the rest of my life. To this day, I have nothing but contempt for the Calley’s, the McNamara’s and, also, for the Kerry’s, who, for whatever reason, sullied the flag and the honor of their comrades with their actions.
Joe L.
May 24th, 2010
3:05 pm
Lt. Calley was sincere when he appeared in public and spoke. He spoke volumes. I know where he is coming from, as I was in the US army myself. I am also a Christian. 3 of my uncles served in Vietnam (2 in the US army, one in the Marine Corps). Although they were not career men, I am very proud of them. Even his RTO Fred Widmer has confirmed Calley’s testimony.
Max R
June 1st, 2010
1:13 am
William L. Calley Jr. was a disgrace to our officer corps, a war crimmimal and not deserving of respect from anyone who believes in ethical conduct, rule of law and American ideals and morality. Admittedly, he was a product of a military and government that produced a horrifically immoral war – that hardly excuses his and his soldiers disgusting crimminal conduct. Everyone of them should still be pounding rocks in military prison. Murdering women and children – who amongst us gives such a person a standing ovation? Shame on the Kiwanas Club in Ohio.