My Lai Massacre Cover-Up

The US Military's 18-Month Cover-Up of the My Lai Massacre

On March 16, 1968, American soldiers killed hundreds of Vietnamese civilians in the My Lai hamlet, located in the Quang Ngai province of South Vietnam. The incident was first reported by investigative journalist Seymour Hersh on November 12, 1969. Lieutenant Colonel Frank Barker, the battalion commander, was informed of the massacre immediately after it occurred.

What Everyone Knows

The standard story goes that the My Lai massacre was a horrific aberration, a one-time incident perpetrated by a rogue unit. Most people think that the US military was unaware of the incident or that it was an isolated event. However, this narrative oversimplifies the circumstances surrounding the massacre and its subsequent cover-up. The truth is more complex, involving a web of concealment and deception that went all the way up the chain of command.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Michael Belknap, in his book "The Vietnam War on Trial", reveals that the US military was aware of the massacre shortly after it occurred, with reports of the incident reaching the 11th Infantry Brigade headquarters by March 18, 1968. Investigative journalist Seymour Hersh, who broke the story, obtained documents and testimony from sources like Ronald Ridenhour, a soldier who had heard about the massacre from fellow soldiers. The US military actively worked to conceal the incident, with Colonel Oran Henderson, the brigade commander, ordering an investigation that was deliberately incomplete and misleading. On April 24, 1968, Henderson submitted a report that downplayed the incident, stating that only 20 civilians had been killed. This report was accepted by higher authorities, and the incident was essentially buried. By June 1968, the US military had already begun to receive reports of other atrocities committed by American soldiers in Vietnam, but these incidents were also swept under the rug. Historian Bernd Greiner, in his book "War Without Fronts", notes that the My Lai massacre was not an isolated incident, but rather part of a larger pattern of violence and abuse perpetrated by American soldiers during the Vietnam War. As the months passed, the story of the massacre remained hidden, known only to a handful of people within the US military. It wasn't until November 1969, when Hersh's story was published, that the American public became aware of the atrocities committed at My Lai.

The Part That Got Buried

The US military, led by General William Westmoreland, deliberately concealed the My Lai massacre from the public, and key figures like Colonel Oran Henderson and General Samuel Koster played significant roles in the cover-up. Henderson, who was tasked with investigating the incident, failed to thoroughly examine the evidence and instead chose to downplay the severity of the massacre. Koster, who was the commanding officer of the Americal Division, was aware of the incident but did not report it to his superiors, allowing the story to remain hidden. The decision to classify the incident as a "combat operation" rather than a massacre was a deliberate attempt to avoid scrutiny and accountability. Additionally, the military's reluctance to investigate and punish those responsible further contributed to the suppression of the story. The fact that the incident was not thoroughly investigated until investigative journalist Seymour Hersh broke the story in 1969 is a clear indication that the military was actively working to keep the truth from coming to light.

The Ripple Effect

The cover-up of the My Lai massacre had significant consequences, including the erosion of trust in the US military and government. The incident led to increased opposition to the Vietnam War, with many Americans questioning the military's actions and motives. The incident also had a direct impact on the development of modern military protocols, with the US military implementing new rules of engagement and procedures for reporting and investigating civilian casualties. For example, the Leahy Law, which prohibits the US military from providing assistance to foreign military units that have committed human rights abuses, was directly influenced by the My Lai massacre and the subsequent cover-up.

The Line That Says It All

The My Lai massacre remained hidden from the public for 18 months, a period during which the US military continued to issue statements and reports that deliberately misled the public about the incident.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the My Lai massacre and the Vietnam War.