I just saw it. I'd blogged about him two Veterans Days ago, and tried to explain the impact that learning his story had on me.
In case you've forgotten, he was the hero of My Lai - arguably the darkest day in the history of the modern U.S. military.He put himself and his men between American troops and the villagers they obviously intended to murder. He threatened American troops with his own crew's weapons, and arranged for the other helicopters in his flight to evacuate a group of villagers, and then for his own crewman to rescue an uninjured small child from a pile of bodies.As I noted in the post, reading his story changed my attitude toward the U.S. military, and indirectly, probably started me on the part to where I am today.When he returned to base, he reported the massacre; his reports were covered up.
On the worst day in modern history for the U.S. military, a few soldiers covered themselves with honor.
I owe him an immense debt, both personally and as a citizen.
Rest in peace, honorable warrior and neighbor.
Jimmy Carter, then governor of Georgia, urged citizens to leave car headlights on to show support for Calley
Speechless.
Hugh Thompson was a great man and a real person. If every soldier was like him, the world would be a much better place.
The lesson here is Go now and do likewise.
Re #2:
At the time, Carter belonged to the old Democratic establishment, which was fighting a losing war with the New Left - and trying to avenge what the New Left did to Lyndon Johnson and Hubert Humphrey.
So Republicans and Democrats alike were willing to stand by and see William Calley get 4 years and a presidential pardon for mass murder, while John Kerry went on national television and indicted everyone else for his crimes.