Vietnam War Era
@vietnamwarera.bsky.social
A complement to VWE site by Joseph Malek. He/him. Historian. Librarian. Support my work: http://patreon.com/vietnamwarera ; http://paypal.me/vietnamwar
Yes you will! I very much look forward to that day.
March 17, 2024 at 5:28 PM
Yes you will! I very much look forward to that day.
Thank you for always sharing your work!
March 17, 2024 at 5:26 PM
Thank you for always sharing your work!
Reposted by Vietnam War Era
Dissertations re:My Lai I found useful
Pauline M. Kaurin, “Agency and Character: A View of Action and Agency” (diss., Temple University, 1997)
Rives M. Duncan, "What Went Right at My Lai: An Analysis of the Roles of Habitus and Character in Lawful Disobedience" (diss., Temple University, 1997),
Pauline M. Kaurin, “Agency and Character: A View of Action and Agency” (diss., Temple University, 1997)
Rives M. Duncan, "What Went Right at My Lai: An Analysis of the Roles of Habitus and Character in Lawful Disobedience" (diss., Temple University, 1997),
March 17, 2024 at 4:45 PM
Dissertations re:My Lai I found useful
Pauline M. Kaurin, “Agency and Character: A View of Action and Agency” (diss., Temple University, 1997)
Rives M. Duncan, "What Went Right at My Lai: An Analysis of the Roles of Habitus and Character in Lawful Disobedience" (diss., Temple University, 1997),
Pauline M. Kaurin, “Agency and Character: A View of Action and Agency” (diss., Temple University, 1997)
Rives M. Duncan, "What Went Right at My Lai: An Analysis of the Roles of Habitus and Character in Lawful Disobedience" (diss., Temple University, 1997),
Reposted by Vietnam War Era
Turse's work also shows the ways in which the historical moment in which we live influence our work as historians. He was writing at a time during which Abu Ghraib became a public scandal and in which the American Left railed against wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
March 17, 2024 at 4:41 PM
Turse's work also shows the ways in which the historical moment in which we live influence our work as historians. He was writing at a time during which Abu Ghraib became a public scandal and in which the American Left railed against wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Reposted by Vietnam War Era
This is one area in which Turse and I differ in approach. For him, all atrocity allegations are valid, and the goals of the claimant do not impinge on their reliability. I'm ore interested in the motivations and methods of allegations than the atrocities.
March 17, 2024 at 4:39 PM
This is one area in which Turse and I differ in approach. For him, all atrocity allegations are valid, and the goals of the claimant do not impinge on their reliability. I'm ore interested in the motivations and methods of allegations than the atrocities.
Reposted by Vietnam War Era
This is one of the issues with claims of atrocities as a function of policy - do we take allegations as entirely accurate and unmotivated by external concerns? Many allegations include motivations to have an effect that cannot be discounted.
March 17, 2024 at 4:37 PM
This is one of the issues with claims of atrocities as a function of policy - do we take allegations as entirely accurate and unmotivated by external concerns? Many allegations include motivations to have an effect that cannot be discounted.
Reposted by Vietnam War Era
While this is a damning account of the sort that Turse and those who admire his work use to claim that there was a "My Lai a Day in Vietnam," it remains unproven.
March 17, 2024 at 4:35 PM
While this is a damning account of the sort that Turse and those who admire his work use to claim that there was a "My Lai a Day in Vietnam," it remains unproven.
Reposted by Vietnam War Era
According to Lewis, snipers in the 9th Division had a bounty system that gave them leave time based on number of kills, gaining decorations and leave for high numbers. This lead to 20 civilian deaths at the hands of snipers i the 39th Infantry Brigade daily.
March 17, 2024 at 4:10 PM
According to Lewis, snipers in the 9th Division had a bounty system that gave them leave time based on number of kills, gaining decorations and leave for high numbers. This lead to 20 civilian deaths at the hands of snipers i the 39th Infantry Brigade daily.
Reposted by Vietnam War Era
He claimed that helicopters hovered over Vietnamese until they ran, providing a legal rationale to them. GIs reported them as Viet Cong “taking evasive action.”
March 17, 2024 at 4:06 PM
He claimed that helicopters hovered over Vietnamese until they ran, providing a legal rationale to them. GIs reported them as Viet Cong “taking evasive action.”
Reposted by Vietnam War Era
Lewis equested an investigation into the 9th Infantry Division, especially the 39th Infantry Brigade. Lewis claimed the Division’s policy to shoot anyone who fled from U.S. troops systematically led to civilian deaths.
March 17, 2024 at 4:06 PM
Lewis equested an investigation into the 9th Infantry Division, especially the 39th Infantry Brigade. Lewis claimed the Division’s policy to shoot anyone who fled from U.S. troops systematically led to civilian deaths.
Reposted by Vietnam War Era
There were some allegations that make atrocities in Vietnam look quite systemic. The best example I have is the "Concerned Sergean" allegation, in which SP4 George Lewis wrote to William Westmoreland and Major Generals William Enemark and Orwin C. Talbott.
March 17, 2024 at 4:02 PM
There were some allegations that make atrocities in Vietnam look quite systemic. The best example I have is the "Concerned Sergean" allegation, in which SP4 George Lewis wrote to William Westmoreland and Major Generals William Enemark and Orwin C. Talbott.
Reposted by Vietnam War Era
There's no space to discuss the cover-up here, but while several officers properly reported the massacre through the chain of command, My Lai was initially reported by the 11th Brigade (and the NYT) as a successful operation against the Viet Cong.
March 17, 2024 at 3:57 PM
There's no space to discuss the cover-up here, but while several officers properly reported the massacre through the chain of command, My Lai was initially reported by the 11th Brigade (and the NYT) as a successful operation against the Viet Cong.
Reposted by Vietnam War Era
We all know the story of Hugh Thompson and his crew. Thompson was eventually recognized for the heroism of his actions, but he not only faced potential punishment for his argument with Calley at My Lai, and hid his role for parts of his career.
March 17, 2024 at 3:55 PM
We all know the story of Hugh Thompson and his crew. Thompson was eventually recognized for the heroism of his actions, but he not only faced potential punishment for his argument with Calley at My Lai, and hid his role for parts of his career.
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Stanley drew his sidearm and told Calley “We all going to die here anyway. I just as soon go out right here and now – but I ain't killing no women and children.
That Stanley was not court-martialed for this is simply amazing.
That Stanley was not court-martialed for this is simply amazing.
March 17, 2024 at 3:54 PM
Stanley drew his sidearm and told Calley “We all going to die here anyway. I just as soon go out right here and now – but I ain't killing no women and children.
That Stanley was not court-martialed for this is simply amazing.
That Stanley was not court-martialed for this is simply amazing.
Reposted by Vietnam War Era
When ordered to shoot villagers in a ditch, Robert Maples refused and threw down his M-60. Other soldiers intervened when Calley threatened to shoot Maples. When HarryStanley refused to pick up the weapon, and Calley jammed his rifle into Stanley's gut, threatening to shoot him.
March 17, 2024 at 3:53 PM
When ordered to shoot villagers in a ditch, Robert Maples refused and threw down his M-60. Other soldiers intervened when Calley threatened to shoot Maples. When HarryStanley refused to pick up the weapon, and Calley jammed his rifle into Stanley's gut, threatening to shoot him.
Reposted by Vietnam War Era
Some members of Charlie Company refused direct orders to kill civilians at My Lai. Rather than shoot a group of civilians, Dennis Conti decided to cover the tree line with his M-79 rather than follow Lt. Calley's orders as Paul Meadlo did.
March 17, 2024 at 3:51 PM
Some members of Charlie Company refused direct orders to kill civilians at My Lai. Rather than shoot a group of civilians, Dennis Conti decided to cover the tree line with his M-79 rather than follow Lt. Calley's orders as Paul Meadlo did.
Reposted by Vietnam War Era
Even at My Lai, though, only around 20 members of Charlie Company directly participated in the massacre. The others made either made it look like they were involved, or found ways to end up on flanks or in the rear.
March 17, 2024 at 3:45 PM
Even at My Lai, though, only around 20 members of Charlie Company directly participated in the massacre. The others made either made it look like they were involved, or found ways to end up on flanks or in the rear.
Reposted by Vietnam War Era
My Lai is a good example of what could go wrong - veteran troops pulled out of a unit right before deployment to Vietnam, leadership that ranged from bullying to grossly incompetent, poorly conceived mission planning, anger over recent deaths, etc.
March 17, 2024 at 3:43 PM
My Lai is a good example of what could go wrong - veteran troops pulled out of a unit right before deployment to Vietnam, leadership that ranged from bullying to grossly incompetent, poorly conceived mission planning, anger over recent deaths, etc.
Reposted by Vietnam War Era
Instead, what we have is metrics of success that encouraged excess killing, foolish policies that would forcibly relocate villagers and then declare the areas they lived free fire zones, individual units promotion policies that lead to civilian deaths, and piss-poor training and leadership.
March 17, 2024 at 3:40 PM
Instead, what we have is metrics of success that encouraged excess killing, foolish policies that would forcibly relocate villagers and then declare the areas they lived free fire zones, individual units promotion policies that lead to civilian deaths, and piss-poor training and leadership.
Reposted by Vietnam War Era
The problem is that wat we don't have is evidence that atrocities were the intended result of policy at the national or command level (MAC-V was not sending people out to destroy villages just to drive up body count).
March 17, 2024 at 3:37 PM
The problem is that wat we don't have is evidence that atrocities were the intended result of policy at the national or command level (MAC-V was not sending people out to destroy villages just to drive up body count).
Reposted by Vietnam War Era
Turse (and others) argue that atrocities were American policy based on the use of free fire zones; allegations that unit promotion, awards, and leave policies were based on a count of enemies killed; training that all Vietnamese were the enemy; and the infrequency that soldiers were punished.
March 17, 2024 at 3:35 PM
Turse (and others) argue that atrocities were American policy based on the use of free fire zones; allegations that unit promotion, awards, and leave policies were based on a count of enemies killed; training that all Vietnamese were the enemy; and the infrequency that soldiers were punished.
Reposted by Vietnam War Era
The VWCWG substantiated 320 separate allegations of atrocities by U.S. Army troops - this does not include allegations against Marines, sailors, or troops of allied nations. These incidents range from rape and assault, to torture, murder, desecration of the dead, and property damage.
March 17, 2024 at 3:30 PM
The VWCWG substantiated 320 separate allegations of atrocities by U.S. Army troops - this does not include allegations against Marines, sailors, or troops of allied nations. These incidents range from rape and assault, to torture, murder, desecration of the dead, and property damage.
Reposted by Vietnam War Era
At the same time, My Lai was not an aberration in that there were so many atrocities committed by all parties to the war. The United States Army’s Vietnam War Crimes Working Group collected 9,000 pages of documents related to allegations of American atrocities during the war.
March 17, 2024 at 3:28 PM
At the same time, My Lai was not an aberration in that there were so many atrocities committed by all parties to the war. The United States Army’s Vietnam War Crimes Working Group collected 9,000 pages of documents related to allegations of American atrocities during the war.