HUGH THOMPSON: RIP

local | 1/6/06 | self

[Joe 6-pack]

Just heard Hugh Thompson passed away. While many people don't know Hugh by name, most remember "the helicopter pilot," generally credited with putting a stop to the My Lai massacre.

Hugh lived close by, and up until I quit drinking a few years back, Hugh and I spent more than a few hours together in the bars. After retiring from the Army, Hugh went to work with the Louisiana Department of Veteran Affairs. We disagreed on some politics, but agreed on many things in life in general.

God bless you Hugh. Rest in Peace buddy.

[lunarbicep]

Hugh Thompson, the helicopter pilot who helped stop the My Lai massacre in March 1968, is shown in his Lafayette office in May 2004. Thompson, 62, died today at the Alexandria veterans hospital.

[SJSAMPLE]

He had courage at a time when many didn't.
Took a lot of guts to expose something so heinous.

[Monterrosa-24]

Such pilots hate to land their aircraft in a spot not laid out as an LZ and it is practically against their religion to leave the seat of their aircraft. Young Hugh did both to his great credit.

[NonZeroSum]

Is there a link to an official source on this for the bloggers?

[Chode]

Prayers UP...

[lunarbicep]

Hugh Thompson, hero who stopped My Lai massacre, dies at 62

[wallcrawlr]

http://www.katc.com/Global/story.asp?S=4328854

Heres one.

Just google his name and they pop up.

[furquhart]

Stopping the massacre was a good things.

It's exposure certianly was not. This was the sort of thing that should have been handled by transferring Calley to some stateside post and telling him and his men to keep their damned mouths shut, or else, combined with the destruction of as much evidence as possible.

The truth was not worth the price.

[Monterrosa-24]

I agree that in war -- in the PR game -- sometimes something needs to be covered up.

Once out, a firing squad could have finnished Calley in My Lai. Then the Army's PR could ask where is similar justice for the much larger Hue massacre brought about by the communists.

[OldFriend]

I'll not honor him any more than honoring the person who sent the Abu Grahib photos to the media.

[NonZeroSum]

Thanks.

[henry_thefirst]

"It's exposure certainly was not. This was the sort of thing that should have been handled by transferring Calley to some stateside post and telling him and his men to keep their damned mouths shut, or else, combined with the destruction of as much evidence as possible."


I don't know how any individual could say such a thing.

Americans must be held to a higher moral standard. Sending them to port, giving them a little slap on the wrist? Disgraceful and unAmerican. People must be held accountable, otherwise we have nothing to stand upon, our moral authority is totally sunk.

It wasn't worth the price? Vietnam was not lost because the Mai Lai massacre was exposed. It was lost because no Political will existed for victory. Hell, victory wasn't even defined in any concrete terms. We had the means for total victory in this limited war context, but there were no aims, thus no strategy was ever concocted that would lead to victory.

To blame it on the Mai Lai massacre (which clearly was what was implied by the statement) shows a bad assessment of history and the facts.

God bless that man who died and his family. He was a True American Hero.

[Fierce Allegiance]

ping

[Tribune7]

The guy's a hero and a great American. I don't think any other country in the world would produce a soldier who'd stop his own countrymen from doing such a despicable thing in such a way.

R.I.P.

[Dave S]

I'll not honor him any more than honoring the person who sent the Abu Grahib photos to the media

You are a fool then. Thompson stopped the massacre and then reported it to his superiors in the chain of command. He didnt tell his story to the media, the story of My Lai leaked out long after his couragous action. Since when do you equate preventing the killing of women and children with idiot bored Guardsmen humiliating prisoners and sharing pictures with others. You are some piece of work. You related to Lt. Calley?

[alisasny]

I believe OLDFRIEND is referring to Calley.

[DogBarkTree]

"I'll not honor him any more than honoring the person who sent the Abu Grahib photos to the media."

Im with you. He saved some villagers but hurt this country and aided the Hanoi Ho Fondas on the left.

[OldFriend]

Given the dangers faced by our military when they came upon villages booby trapped by the VC, I can understand their fears and frustrations.

Thompson like Hackworth put themselves ahead of their country.

[leadpenny]

Sad. We were instrument instructors in 68 at Hanchey AHP, Ft. Rucker, when he went to authorities with his story.

Twenty years later I was speaking to my son's HS History class. I asked how many knew about My Lai? Only one hand went up.

Hugh Thompson was one of my heros. RIP, Hugh, your work here is done.

Thanks for the ping, Fierce Allegiance. And thank you Joe 6-pack.