World
William L. Calley Jr. Dies at 80: Vietnam War Figure and My Lai Massacre Leader
William L. Calley Jr., a controversial figure in the Vietnam War and leader during the My Lai Massacre, has passed away at 80. His actions and trial sparked intense debate over military ethics and accountability, leaving a lasting impact on American history.
William L. Calley Jr. Passes Away at 80
William L. Calley Jr., who became a symbol of the tragic and contentious legacy of the Vietnam War, passed away on April 28 at a hospice in Gainesville, Florida, as confirmed by Social Security Administration records. He was 80 years old. The specific cause of his death has not been publicly disclosed, and family members have not yet responded to inquiries for additional information. His passing was first reported by The Washington Post.
Calley is remembered primarily for his role in the My Lai Massacre, one of the most heinous episodes of the Vietnam War, where hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians lost their lives at the hands of American soldiers. This horrific event, which occurred nearly 56 years ago, saw as many as 500 innocent women, children, and elderly men brutally killed—many by automatic weapons, grenades, and bayonets. In addition to the murders, there were widespread reports of sexual violence, mutilation of bodies, the slaughter of livestock, and the arson of homes.
On the fateful morning of March 16, 1968, Second Lieutenant Calley, who was only 24 and had been in Vietnam for a mere three months, led approximately 100 men from Charlie Company into the hamlet of My Lai 4, located about halfway up the eastern coast of South Vietnam. The soldiers moved in under orders that were vague and open to interpretation, leading some to believe that anyone found in the hamlet, including women and children, could be considered Vietcong combatants.
As the Americans entered the village and encountered no resistance, they unleashed a barrage of violence. Over the course of several hours, a series of horrific acts unfolded. Eyewitness accounts describe how victims were forcibly pulled from their homes, rounded up into an irrigation ditch or the village center, and systematically executed. The brutality of that day has left an indelible mark on the collective memory of the Vietnam War, serving as a haunting reminder of the depths of human cruelty.