CPT Hugh Thompson (Ret.)
Army Aviation Hall of Fame 2004 Induction
As an
OH-23 pilot with the 123rd Aviation Battalion, CWO Hugh Thompson
flew over the Vietnamese village of My Lai on March 16, 1968, as
U.S. troops were killing civilians.
When Thompson landed and tried to get 1LT William Calley to stop
the killing, Calley said he was in charge and sent Thompson on
his way. Continuing to fly around the area, he and his crew
spotted some Vietnamese trying to hide. He landed and, with
crewmen Larry Colburn and Glenn Andreotta covering him, pulled
out of hiding nine people facing certain death and evacuated
them from the area. Thompson then went to his aviation company
commander, MAJ Fred Watke, and reported what he had seen. Watke
reported the massacre to the ground task force commander, who
ordered an immediate cease fire.
After My
Lai, Thompson’s aircraft took hits on eight missions and four
helicopters were lost to battle damage. Thompson was shot down
during a later mission and was evacuated in traction with a
broken back. For his actions at My Lai he was vilified by
supporters of the massacre, both inside and outside the U.S.
government.
Thompson
later accepted a commission and attained the rank of captain,
but served his remaining active-duty time as a warrant officer
because of post-war reductions in force. In March 1998 the Army
belatedly recognized Thompson's heroic actions at My Lai with
the award of the Soldier's Medal. |