American Scandal The Massacre at My Lai | Interview | Rules of Engagement: How My Lai Changed the US Military | 5
Sep 9, 2025
Discover the harrowing details of the My Lai Massacre, where American soldiers killed hundreds of Vietnamese civilians. Explore the ethical dilemmas faced by soldiers and the heroic actions of whistleblower Hugh Thompson. Learn how this tragedy exposed the flaws in military conduct and led to important accountability reforms. Reflect on the evolving landscape of warfare and the necessity for clear rules of engagement. The discussion also touches on the enduring impact of these events on military ethics and future prevention of atrocities.
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My Lai Shattered Public Trust
- The My Lai revelations devastated public trust and nearly wrecked the Army's reputation after graphic photos and growing antiwar sentiment.
- Fred Borch says the massacre caused Army morale to hit rock bottom and shocked the American public.
Leadership Failure At The Core
- Leadership failure was the primary cause of the massacre, according to Fred Borch.
- Borch argues William Calley was a substandard officer whose orders enabled the killings.
Laws Existed But Guidance Was Sparse
- In Vietnam the Geneva Conventions applied but formal, unit-level rules of engagement were lacking.
- Borch highlights free-fire zones and poor training made distinguishing civilians from combatants dangerously ambiguous.
