Captain Ernest Medina was charged by the U.S. military with war crimes associated with the My Lai Massacre, a horrific event that occurred in March 1968 when U.S. Army troops killed between 347 and 504 unarmed South Vietnamese civilians in the hamlets of My Lai and My Khe. The charges against Medina were part of a broader investigation into the conduct of U.S. forces during the Vietnam War, especially regarding the treatment of civilians. The My Lai incident garnered international attention and intensified opposition to the war back home, leading to increasing scrutiny of military actions and policies. The decision to charge Medina came three decades before the eventual trial, reflecting ongoing tensions and the gradual acknowledgment of ethical responsibilities in warfare.

The public reaction to the charges against Medina was mixed. While some citizens viewed it as a necessary step toward accountability for atrocities committed during the Vietnam War, others felt that it was a scapegoat for systemic issues within the military. The case was emblematic of a period in American history when the military's conduct was coming under fierce criticism, leading to a broader discussion regarding the rules of engagement and the treatment of non-combatants in conflict zones. Medina maintained that he had acted in accordance with the rules prescribed to him under wartime conditions, seeking to eliminate the Viet Cong influence in the area.

The trial of Captain Medina was one of the first significant legal actions taken against military personnel for actions taken during the Vietnam War. It highlighted the shift from traditional views of military honor and obedience to a more complex understanding of moral responsibility within a combat context. Ultimately, Medina was acquitted of the charges, sparking further debate over military justice and the conduct of American soldiers in Vietnam.