My Lai Massacre 1968
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Against communist Vietnam a war was waged
For almost twenty years fierce fighting raged
The French came first then the U. S. arrived
Communism had grown and it had thrived.
Most American soldiers served with distinction
Carrying out orders for the good of their mission
But in hearts of some men pure evil does reside
And makes you wonder if they were on your side.
On March the sixteenth nineteen sixty eight
Hundreds of civilians suffered a horrific fate
William Calley gave the order to shoot at will
First they torched the village then shot to kill.
Women were raped and young girls as well
Then they were killed so they couldn't tell
There was no where to hide, no where to run
They carried out genocide with bayonet and gun.
The Intelligence stated "you'll find Viet Cong"
But in that peaceful village the intel was wrong
They met no resistance only frail old men
And mothers with babies and little children.
The defenceless villagers just stood in fright
And without any mercy were shot on sight
Mutilations carried out on the living and dead
All over the village flowed rivers blood red.
Into a ditch some villagers were thrown
Stabbed and shot no mercy was shown
Calley then gave out the order " take no one alive"
A chopper crew intervened and some did survive.
Hugh Thompson, the pilot and two of his crew
Were awarded soldiers medals for what they did do
His helicopter touched down during the attack
And warned the soldiers that he would fire back.
He made contact with villagers trying to flee
And airlifted many and took them to safety
To hospital he took them for medical aid
They were shaking with fear, very much afraid.
When the story broke out it made the front page
And all over the world it caused an outrage
Inquiries were held and someone had to pay
For the massacre at My Lai on that horrific day.
There was cover ups and denials, no one was to blame
And those at the top should bow heads with shame
Over twenty soldiers stood trial and they all walked free
Except Calley who got twenty years but only served three.
They tried to suppress it but it was a war crime
And with the exception of Calley, no one did time
Brave soldiers in wartime their praises are sung
But not so war criminals they should be hung.
(Dedicated to the three brave American servicemen, Hugh Thompson, Glenn Andreotta and Lawrence Colburn who helped stop the massacre at My Lai
and saved many lives on that horrific day)
Written 12th January 2018
Copyright © Tom Cunningham | Year Posted 2018
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