Illegal military actions diminish soldiers and American ideals

Editor:

News of the My Lai incident broke in November 1969, during my tour of duty in Vietnam.  The My Lai incident happened March 16th, 1968, in Quang Ngai province when members of the 23rd (Americal) Division killed between 347 to 504 women, children and elderly unarmed civilians. It was a war crime.

While some in the military tried to white-wash it, the Vietnamese knew what had happened. It made winning the hearts and minds of the Vietnamese citizens more difficult. And it contributed to the American public’s attitude in opposition to the war.  Returning soldiers, such as myself, were shunned and tainted as drug-addled murderers.

My tour of duty in Vietnam was from July 1969 to July 1970 with the 101st Infantry Division in Thua Thien and Quang Tri Provinces. Most of our operations were in the jungles of the Annamite Mountains, with very limited operations around villages.

My unit did not kill civilians, nor did we kill friendly soldiers, (South Vietnam soldiers). However, I know the intense hatred of the enemy, the rage and anger and desire for revenge. I know how atrocities happen. I also know the moral injury suffered by those of us who killed enemy soldiers.

The oath taken by members of the military includes: “I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So, help me God.” The Uniform Code of Military Justice states explicitly that this requirement does not apply to “patently illegal orders.”

In Nov. 1969, when news of the My Lai massacre broke, my unit commander called us together and made it clear to all of us, officers and enlisted, that orders to kill civilians are illegal and not to be followed. Furthermore, he made it clear that orders to kill unarmed P.O.W.’s is illegal.

It is also manifestly unlawful to issue orders or follow such orders to kill unarmed fishermen. While the administration has stated that those targeted are drug smugglers, they have offered no evidence to support that claim. They have offered no evidence that they are armed, or intend to smuggle drugs, if they have any, into the U.S.

There is no evidence that the occupants of those boats threaten in any manner, shape or form the U.S. We are not at war with Venezuela. Following “patently illegal orders,” and killing without due process diminishes how our allies view us and gives our enemies fodder.

It shakes the foundations that America stands for ideals and that the law is king not arbitrary capricious whims of those in power. Finally, it diminishes how we feel about ourselves, as citizens living in a democracy.

William Fine

Brockport