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I wouldn't call him forgotten - while I'm bad with remembering names, when I saw "My Lai", the first thing that came to mind was "that badass helicopter pilot w

I wouldn't call him forgotten - while I'm bad with remembering names, when I saw "My Lai", the first thing that came to mind was "that badass helicopter pilot who landed his helicopter between civilians and US soldiers, and threatened to open fire to protect the civilians". What I didn't know was that he took so much flak for that - from statements that he should be the one punished to death threats and dead animals on his porch. Unsurprising, yet sad. His name was Hugh Thompson, and today, let's remember that name[1]. [1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Thompson_Jr https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Thompson_Jr.

deleted 8y ago
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thereare5lights 8y ago
> What I didn't know was that he took so much flak for that - from statements that he should be the one punished to death threats and dead animals on his porch. Unsurprising, yet sad. Pretty much to be expected in any situation where someone goes against convention. People are shitty when it comes to tribal issues.
hef19898 8y ago
This is the proof that war really brings out the worst or the best in people. Unfortunately most of the time it is the worst.
aaron695 8y ago
> What I didn't know was that he took so much flak for that I sincerely doubt it. He acted with courage and people respect that. It would have been because he reported it, this would have gotten post war veterans with PTSD in trouble when everyone just wanted to move on. Not saying he was wrong, but people don't death threat bad asses who are willing to fight other people with guns, that's considered a fair fight. > Back at their base he filed a complaint about the killing of civilians that he had witnessed.
owenversteeg 8y ago
An extra point: his "helicopter" was about the smallest thing you could get and still call it a helicopter. It provided no cover or protection for the people inside. Had the soldiers engaged, Thompson and the others would have gone down instantly. Photo: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hiller_UH-12_(H-23)_bw.jpg https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hiller_UH-12_(H-23)_bw....
- romwell 8y ago
  Thanks for this. In my mind, a "helicopter" is something like a Huey. This is a rotor with a tail!

deleted 8y ago

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thereare5lights 8y ago

> What I didn't know was that he took so much flak for that - from statements that he should be the one punished to death threats and dead animals on his porch. Unsurprising, yet sad. Pretty much to be expected in any situation where someone goes against convention. People are shitty when it comes to tribal issues.

hef19898 8y ago

This is the proof that war really brings out the worst or the best in people. Unfortunately most of the time it is the worst.

aaron695 8y ago

> What I didn't know was that he took so much flak for that I sincerely doubt it. He acted with courage and people respect that. It would have been because he reported it, this would have gotten post war veterans with PTSD in trouble when everyone just wanted to move on. Not saying he was wrong, but people don't death threat bad asses who are willing to fight other people with guns, that's considered a fair fight. > Back at their base he filed a complaint about the killing of civilians that he had witnessed.

owenversteeg 8y ago

An extra point: his "helicopter" was about the smallest thing you could get and still call it a helicopter. It provided no cover or protection for the people inside. Had the soldiers engaged, Thompson and the others would have gone down instantly. Photo: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hiller_UH-12_(H-23)_bw.jpg https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hiller_UH-12_(H-23)_bw....

romwell 8y ago
Thanks for this. In my mind, a "helicopter" is something like a Huey. This is a rotor with a tail!