Lieutenant William Calley was put on trial for his involvement in the My Lai Massacre, a tragic event that occurred during the Vietnam War on March 16, 1968. During this event, U.S. soldiers killed between 347 and 504 unarmed South Vietnamese civilians, including women, children, and the elderly, in the hamlets of My Lai and My Khe. The massacre was part of a larger military operation aimed at rooting out Viet Cong guerillas but instead resulted in one of the most egregious war crimes committed by U.S. forces in Vietnam.

The trial took place at Fort Benning, Georgia, and began on November 17, 1970. Calley was charged with murder, and his defense argued that he was following orders from superiors. The trial became a focal point for anti-war protests and raised questions about the ethical responsibilities of soldiers and commanders during wartime. Calley’s actions were scrutinized in light of growing public discontent regarding the Vietnam War, and the trial received extensive media coverage, igniting national debates about military conduct, morality, and accountability.

In March 1971, Calley was found guilty of murder for his role and initially sentenced to life in prison. However, he served only three and a half years under house arrest after President Richard Nixon intervened. The trial and its aftermath significantly altered public perceptions of the war and led to greater oversight of military operations in combat situations. It also raised awareness about the need for comprehensive guidelines on the conduct of troops in conflict zones. The events at My Lai and the subsequent trial had lasting implications on U.S. military policy, legal standards for military conduct, and the psychology of soldiers in wartime.