In 1965, the United States deployed 35,000 Marines to South Vietnam. This action marked the beginning of the American ground war in Vietnam. In 1968, a small village in the Quang Ngai Province, an area which was believed to be a stronghold of the Viet Cong, was massacred by U.S. troops. The My Lai Massacre became known as one of the most horrific incidents of violence committed against civilians during the Vietnam War.
The My Lai Massacre was also known as Pinkville. Pinkville was the name given to the area of the Quang Ngai Province by Task Force Baker in February of 1968. On military maps, the providence was a reddish color to note the densely populated area. In America, the My Lai Massacre was often referred to and known as the Pinkville Massacre. Pinkville …show more content…
Medina told his soldiers to treat anyone found in the village of My Lai as a Viet Cong sympathizer or fighter, because he believed the civilians of the Quang Ngai Providence had already left. His order meant, that under the rules of engagement, the soldiers were allowed to fire at anyone or anything and destroy buildings and kill livestock. On the following day, the search and destroy mission ended in what would be known as one of the most horrific incidents of violence committed against civilians in Vietnam.
On March 16, 1968, the Son My village was shelled by U.S. artillery to force fleeing civilians back to My Lai. Lt.William Calley, of Charlie Company 1st Platoon, led from the east and although he did not face any resistance, he began to kill indiscriminately the fleeing civlians. Within an hour, women, children, infants, and old men were rounded up. Calley ordered his men to begin shooting the villagers. His platoon hesitated, but within seconds the massacre had begun. Soilders raped an unkown number of women, slaughtered livestock, and burned down