The My Lai Massacre (1968)

The My Lai Massacre occurred in 1968, during the Vietnam War, when American soldiers killed over 500 Vietnamese civilians, including women, children, and elderly villagers. The massacre ended only after Army helicopter pilot Warrant Officer Hugh Thompson landed his aircraft between the soldiers and the retreating villagers, threatening to open fire if the soldiers continued. The atrocity was covered up for over a year, and only one soldier, Lieutenant William Calley, was convicted.

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