Wednesday, August 26, 2009

My Lai: "I'm Sorry"

This didn't get too much press, but an emotional William Calley made a rare public appearance and discussed the events of and subsequent to March 16, 1968.

Calley said, regarding the orders he received,

If you are asking why I did not stand up to them when I was given the orders, I will have to say that I was a 2nd Lieutenant getting orders from my commander and I followed them - foolishly, I guess.” He said that was no excuse, just what happened.*
*Allegedly an operation of Phoenix Program, 26 US soldiers, including 14 officers, were charged with crimes related to the My Lai massacre and its coverup. Most of the charges were eventually dropped, and only Lt. Calley was convicted.

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