Ernest Medina, key figure in My Lai Massacre, dies at 81

[Archae]

Source: WBAY, ABC affiliate in Green Bay, WI

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Former Army Capt. Ernest L. Medina, a key figure in the My Lai Massacre during the Vietnam War, has died in Wisconsin. He was 81.

Medina was an Army captain on March 16, 1968, when American troops under his command killed hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians. He was acquitted in a court-martial over the massacre.

Medina died May 8, according to an obituary written by his family. No cause of death was given. He was being buried Monday.

Read more: http://www.wbay.com/content/news/Ernest-Medina-key-figure-in-My-Lai-massacre-dies-at-81-482563201.html

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Medina has died.

Calley is still alive.

So is Dick Cheney.

[BigmanPigman]

1. I replied to a My Lai post last week

about war heroes (McCain) and the brave helicopter men stopped the massacre from continuing when they saw what was going on. I mentioned how Calley and Medina were barely slapped on their hands for murdering and ordering the murder of up to 500 women, children and elderly in Vietnam. Calley is still alive and I think he lives near Atlanta and speaks at the Rotary Club. After My Lai he actually got fan letters! I can't believe evil murderers are allowed to live to ripe old age instead of suffering like their victims. Where is karma? I hope Medina is roasting in Hell and Calley will join him there.

He died almost 50 years (My Lai 50th anniversay was last March) after the criminal acts took place...50 years too long in my opinion.

[gopiscrap]

2. agreed

[lastlib]

3. Good Riddance

Hell is too good for some evil bastards.

[Grins]

4. What I remember from that...

I was to enter the Army two years later. My first thought then was: "Where are all the other officers?"* If, as the military constantly tells its officers, "YOU are totally responsible for everything those under your command do, or fail to do." And they mean it.

So where was the Task Force commander, the brigade commander, and the Division commander, MG Koster? Why just the lowest ranking officer, a 2LT?

I knew something really stunk when Calley, who HAD to have help in this, did not use Army lawyers for his defense, but hired - F. Lee Bailey! How a $400/Month 2LT could afford Bailey is beyond me.

And Kostner did the same thing and also got outside counsel.
He hired Brendan Sullivan from Williams & Connolly! Yes! THAT Brendan Sullivan.


* And it was the same first thought I had over Abu Grahib. Where were the charges against the Lieutenants, the Captains, the Majors, the Lt. Colonels?

[Archae]

5. I remember an editorial cartoon from back then...

Some Pentagon brass hat is saying "The blame for this is entirely on Lt Calley..."

While he's dipped his hands in whitewash.