My Lai massacre

Cultural  

1. A mass killing of helpless inhabitants of a village in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, carried out in 1968 by United States troops under the command of Lieutenant William Calley. Calley was court-martialed and sentenced to life imprisonment, but he only served a few years before parole. The massacre, horrible in itself, became a symbol (see also symbol) for those opposed to the war in Vietnam.

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Example Sentences

A former US officer who was the only person to be convicted in connection with the My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War has died, according to reports.

From BBC • Jul. 30, 2024

Some of Bailey’s other high-profile clients included Dr. Samuel Sheppard — accused of killing his wife — and Capt. Ernest Medina, charged in connection with the My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 3, 2021

Like many others, Fulmer said he did not know about the other significant event in the Vietnam War - the My Lai massacre - when it took place.

From Washington Times • Jun. 3, 2018

Seymour Hersh is an American investigative journalist who is the recipient of many awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for his article exposing the My Lai massacre by the U.S. military in Vietnam.

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2016

In one early iteration, the website referred to the 1968 My Lai massacre, in which American troops killed hundreds of Vietnamese civilians, as the My Lai Incident.

From New York Times • Oct. 9, 2014