My Lai Massacre Facts for Kids

The My Lai Massacre (pronounced Mee-Lie) was a very sad event that took place in Vietnam on March 16, 1968. It was a day when many civilians were killed by American troops in the village of My Lai. A special memorial in My Lai lists the names of 504 people who died that day.

What Happened at My Lai?
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What Happened at My Lai?

Before the Event

Before the American soldiers went into My Lai, they were told something important. They were told that all the "true" civilians would be at the market. This meant that anyone left in the village might be members of the Viet Cong. The Viet Cong were a group fighting against the South Vietnamese government and the American forces.

The Day of the Massacre

When the soldiers arrived in the village, they did not find any Viet Cong fighters. But even though no enemy soldiers were there, many American troops began to kill the villagers. Most of the people killed were elderly people, women, and children. It was a very tragic and violent event.

Stopping the Violence

The terrible killings were eventually stopped by an American helicopter pilot. His name was Hugh Thompson Jr. He saw what was happening from his helicopter and bravely stepped in to protect the remaining villagers.

What Happened After?

At first, the killings were kept secret by the United States Army. But eventually, the truth came out. Many investigations took place to find out what happened. A number of soldiers were looked into for their part in the killings.

One soldier, Lieutenant William Calley, was found responsible for his actions. This event showed how important it is for everyone to follow rules of war.

The Impact of My Lai

The My Lai Massacre had a huge impact back in the United States. When people learned about what happened, many became very upset. This event made more and more Americans want peace. It also made them want American troops to leave Vietnam. The massacre changed how many people felt about the war.