History Daily Saturday Matinee: American Scandal
Sep 13, 2025
Dive into the harrowing My Lai Massacre, a pivotal moment of the Vietnam War that reshaped American views on the conflict. Hear firsthand accounts from soldiers grappling with moral dilemmas and the psychological toll of combat. Discover Task Force Barker's struggles as trust erodes in a war-torn landscape. Unpack the eerie calm before the storm as tensions rise, setting the stage for irreversible decisions. This exploration sheds light on the dark realities of war, challenging our understanding of heroism and humanity.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Soldier's Confession On National TV
- Paul Meadlow described on CBS how he and others were told to gather villagers and then ordered to shoot them.
- He said he fired at old men, women, children, and babies, and still dreams about them.
Massacre, Not Combat
- The My Lai killings were not a battle but a deliberate massacre of unarmed civilians.
- The Army and Pentagon buried reports and politicians largely ignored the truth until whistleblowers exposed it.
Calley's Struggle For Respect
- William Calley trained poorly and struggled with leadership at Fort Benning but still received a commission.
- He arrived in Vietnam determined to prove himself despite lacking command presence.
