Ernest Medina
My Lai Massacre Accountability Case
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
My Lai, Vietnam
TIME PERIOD
March 16, 1968
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
On March 16, 1968, U.S. Army Captain Ernest Medina, commanding officer of Company C, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry of the 11th Brigade, led his unit in the My Lai massacre in Son My village, Vietnam, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of unarmed South Vietnamese civilians. Following the incident, Medina was court-martialed in 1971 for his involvement but was acquitted, leading to his resignation from the Army due to the negative publicity surrounding the case. Despite his exoneration, Medina later admitted to not being fully candid during the trial, indicating his desire to protect his reputation and that of the Army. He passed away on May 8, 2018, at the age of 81, having spent his later years in the family real estate business without further public comment on the massacre. The case remains a significant point of discussion regarding military conduct and accountability during the Vietnam War.
Many believe that Ernest Medina's acquittal in the My Lai massacre trial was a result of a flawed military justice system that prioritized protecting the Army's reputation over accountability for war crimes. Some speculate that his later admission of not being completely candid during the court-martial suggests he may have withheld critical information to shield himself and his superiors from culpability. Additionally, there are theories that Medina's resignation from the Army and subsequent silence on the massacre were influenced by the overwhelming negative public perception and the desire to avoid further scrutiny.
Ernest Medina: A Soldier's Legacy
A Soldier's Rise and Fall
Born on August 27, 1936, in Springer, New Mexico, Ernest Lou Medina's life began in a humble Mexican-American family. By the age of 16, he had already demonstrated a willingness to bend the rules, lying about his age to enlist in the Colorado Army National Guard in 1952. This decision marked the beginning of a military journey that would take him through various odd jobs before finally joining the Regular Army in 1956.
Medina's military career was distinguished by his rise through the ranks, culminating in his commissioning as an officer in 1964 after completing Officer Candidate School. His dedication and service were recognized with prestigious awards, including the Silver Star and Bronze Star Medal. By 1966, he had reached the rank of captain and assumed command of Charlie Company in Hawaii, preparing for deployment to Vietnam.
The My Lai Massacre
It was on March 16, 1968, that Captain Medina's command would be forever linked to one of the darkest days in U.S. military history—the My Lai massacre. As the commanding officer of Company C, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry of the 11th Brigade, Americal Division, Medina was at the helm of the unit responsible for the atrocities committed in the hamlets of Son My village.
The massacre, which involved the unlawful killing of hundreds of Vietnamese civilians, including women and children, would become a stain on the American conscience. An investigation led by General William R. Peers in 1970 alleged that Medina had planned, ordered, and supervised the execution of this unlawful operation. The accusations were grave, suggesting Medina's involvement in the destruction of homes, livestock, and crops, and possibly the killing of noncombatants.
The Court-Martial
In 1971, Medina faced a court-martial under Article 77 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The charges were severe: allowing his men to murder allied civilians. Despite the damning accusations, Medina denied giving any orders to kill Vietnamese noncombatants. His defense, led by the renowned attorney F. Lee Bailey and supported by Gary Myers, argued that the soldiers acted independently, without Medina's directives.
Medina's own testimony painted a picture of a chaotic battlefield, claiming he was unaware of his troops' actions until it was too late. A particularly chilling moment in the trial came when Medina admitted to shooting a young woman, believing she had a grenade, though she was unarmed. The defense pointed to instances during the Vietnam War where enemies feigned surrender to attack U.S. forces.
However, a three-man helicopter crew, including WO1 Hugh Thompson, Crew Chief Spec 4 Glenn Andreotta, and Gunner Lawrence Colburn, provided a damning account. According to Colburn, they witnessed Medina finishing off a wounded, unarmed girl in front of them, solidifying their belief that Medina's men were indeed the perpetrators of the massacre.
Despite the gravity of the charges, Medina was acquitted of all charges in August 1971 after a jury deliberation of just 60 minutes. Yet, the acquittal could not erase the public outcry and the end of his military career. Medina resigned from the Army shortly thereafter, admitting later that he had not been completely honest during his court-martial to protect the military and his own reputation.
Life After the Army
Following his departure from the military, Medina attempted to rebuild his life. He worked at an Enstrom Helicopter Corporation plant in Menominee, Michigan, owned by his defense attorney F. Lee Bailey. Eventually, Medina settled with his family in Marinette, Wisconsin, dedicating the rest of his career to the family real estate business.
Medina remained out of the public eye, never speaking openly about the My Lai massacre again. He lived a quiet life until his death on May 8, 2018, at the age of 81.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
The My Lai massacre and Medina's subsequent trial left an indelible mark on American history, influencing cultural expressions of the time. Songs like Pete Seeger's "Last Train to Nuremberg" and The Shah's "The My Lai Incident" referenced Medina, embedding his name in the protest music of the era.
Despite his military accolades, which included the Army Parachutist Badge and Combat Infantryman Badge, the shadow of My Lai loomed large over Medina's legacy, raising questions about morality, leadership, and the cost of war.
Sources
For further reading, please refer to the original Wikipedia article on Ernest Medina: Wikipedia URL
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My Lai Massacre
Captain Ernest Medina's unit conducts a massacre of Vietnamese civilians in My Lai.
Investigation Begins
General William R. Peers leads an investigation into the My Lai massacre, focusing on Medina's actions.
Court-Martial Charges
Medina is charged and court-martialed for his role in the My Lai massacre under U.S. military law.
Acquitted of Charges
Ernest Medina is acquitted of all charges after a jury deliberation lasting about 60 minutes.
Resigns from Army
Following his acquittal, Medina resigns from the U.S. Army due to negative publicity surrounding the case.
Medina Passes Away
Ernest Medina dies at the age of 81 in Marinette, Wisconsin.
On March 16, 1968, U.S. Army Captain Ernest Medina, commanding officer of Company C, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry of the 11th Brigade, led his unit in the My Lai massacre in Son My village, Vietnam, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of unarmed South Vietnamese civilians. Following the incident, Medina was court-martialed in 1971 for his involvement but was acquitted, leading to his resignation from the Army due to the negative publicity surrounding the case. Despite his exoneration, Medina later admitted to not being fully candid during the trial, indicating his desire to protect his reputation and that of the Army. He passed away on May 8, 2018, at the age of 81, having spent his later years in the family real estate business without further public comment on the massacre. The case remains a significant point of discussion regarding military conduct and accountability during the Vietnam War.
Many believe that Ernest Medina's acquittal in the My Lai massacre trial was a result of a flawed military justice system that prioritized protecting the Army's reputation over accountability for war crimes. Some speculate that his later admission of not being completely candid during the court-martial suggests he may have withheld critical information to shield himself and his superiors from culpability. Additionally, there are theories that Medina's resignation from the Army and subsequent silence on the massacre were influenced by the overwhelming negative public perception and the desire to avoid further scrutiny.
Ernest Medina: A Soldier's Legacy
A Soldier's Rise and Fall
Born on August 27, 1936, in Springer, New Mexico, Ernest Lou Medina's life began in a humble Mexican-American family. By the age of 16, he had already demonstrated a willingness to bend the rules, lying about his age to enlist in the Colorado Army National Guard in 1952. This decision marked the beginning of a military journey that would take him through various odd jobs before finally joining the Regular Army in 1956.
Medina's military career was distinguished by his rise through the ranks, culminating in his commissioning as an officer in 1964 after completing Officer Candidate School. His dedication and service were recognized with prestigious awards, including the Silver Star and Bronze Star Medal. By 1966, he had reached the rank of captain and assumed command of Charlie Company in Hawaii, preparing for deployment to Vietnam.
The My Lai Massacre
It was on March 16, 1968, that Captain Medina's command would be forever linked to one of the darkest days in U.S. military history—the My Lai massacre. As the commanding officer of Company C, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry of the 11th Brigade, Americal Division, Medina was at the helm of the unit responsible for the atrocities committed in the hamlets of Son My village.
The massacre, which involved the unlawful killing of hundreds of Vietnamese civilians, including women and children, would become a stain on the American conscience. An investigation led by General William R. Peers in 1970 alleged that Medina had planned, ordered, and supervised the execution of this unlawful operation. The accusations were grave, suggesting Medina's involvement in the destruction of homes, livestock, and crops, and possibly the killing of noncombatants.
The Court-Martial
In 1971, Medina faced a court-martial under Article 77 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The charges were severe: allowing his men to murder allied civilians. Despite the damning accusations, Medina denied giving any orders to kill Vietnamese noncombatants. His defense, led by the renowned attorney F. Lee Bailey and supported by Gary Myers, argued that the soldiers acted independently, without Medina's directives.
Medina's own testimony painted a picture of a chaotic battlefield, claiming he was unaware of his troops' actions until it was too late. A particularly chilling moment in the trial came when Medina admitted to shooting a young woman, believing she had a grenade, though she was unarmed. The defense pointed to instances during the Vietnam War where enemies feigned surrender to attack U.S. forces.
However, a three-man helicopter crew, including WO1 Hugh Thompson, Crew Chief Spec 4 Glenn Andreotta, and Gunner Lawrence Colburn, provided a damning account. According to Colburn, they witnessed Medina finishing off a wounded, unarmed girl in front of them, solidifying their belief that Medina's men were indeed the perpetrators of the massacre.
Despite the gravity of the charges, Medina was acquitted of all charges in August 1971 after a jury deliberation of just 60 minutes. Yet, the acquittal could not erase the public outcry and the end of his military career. Medina resigned from the Army shortly thereafter, admitting later that he had not been completely honest during his court-martial to protect the military and his own reputation.
Life After the Army
Following his departure from the military, Medina attempted to rebuild his life. He worked at an Enstrom Helicopter Corporation plant in Menominee, Michigan, owned by his defense attorney F. Lee Bailey. Eventually, Medina settled with his family in Marinette, Wisconsin, dedicating the rest of his career to the family real estate business.
Medina remained out of the public eye, never speaking openly about the My Lai massacre again. He lived a quiet life until his death on May 8, 2018, at the age of 81.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
The My Lai massacre and Medina's subsequent trial left an indelible mark on American history, influencing cultural expressions of the time. Songs like Pete Seeger's "Last Train to Nuremberg" and The Shah's "The My Lai Incident" referenced Medina, embedding his name in the protest music of the era.
Despite his military accolades, which included the Army Parachutist Badge and Combat Infantryman Badge, the shadow of My Lai loomed large over Medina's legacy, raising questions about morality, leadership, and the cost of war.
Sources
For further reading, please refer to the original Wikipedia article on Ernest Medina: Wikipedia URL
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
My Lai Massacre
Captain Ernest Medina's unit conducts a massacre of Vietnamese civilians in My Lai.
Investigation Begins
General William R. Peers leads an investigation into the My Lai massacre, focusing on Medina's actions.
Court-Martial Charges
Medina is charged and court-martialed for his role in the My Lai massacre under U.S. military law.
Acquitted of Charges
Ernest Medina is acquitted of all charges after a jury deliberation lasting about 60 minutes.
Resigns from Army
Following his acquittal, Medina resigns from the U.S. Army due to negative publicity surrounding the case.
Medina Passes Away
Ernest Medina dies at the age of 81 in Marinette, Wisconsin.