Brutality in the Vietnam War

Since the US Couldn’t differentiate between friend and foe, we had to assume most were foes Used a weapon called Napalm Gelatinized gasoline Sticks to what it burns White phosphorous Burns EXTREMELY hot Keeps burning through your body until removed

Napalm

June 8, 1972 South Vietnamese military is trying to destroy a village controlled by the Viet Cong. Accidentally drops napalm & white phosphorous on the village of Trang Bang.

My Lai Massacre You will be responsible for knowing the answers to these questions. Answer them IN YOUR NOTEBOOK What happened at My Lai? What effect did it have on the American public? Why was it difficult to distinguish between guerillas and civilians in the Vietnam conflict? Why, more specifically, did men from Charlie Company massacre Vietnamese civilians? What role you think the Viet Cong's tactic of hiding among civilians played in the massacre? Did it in any way justify the soldiers' behavior? How did the truth about My Lai eventually come out? Describe the investigation into the massacre. What was the outcome?

Essay (take home) Write a five-paragraph essay describing what you think you would have done had you been in My Lai as a member of Charlie Company. Defend your answer. DUE MONDAY. TYPED & BRING TO CLASS Give this some thought! Would you have disobeyed orders?