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Hugh Thompson Jr. (1943-2006)
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 Hugh Thompson Jr. (1943-2006). On January 6, 2006, former Army Warrant Officer Hugh Thompson died of cancer. It was Thompson, piloting a helicopter gun ship, who helped stop the My Lai Massacre that occurred in 1968 during which over 500 unarmed Vietnamese civilians were intentionally killed by a US Army company, a platoon of which was commanded by Lt. William Calley. When it became apparent to Thompson that his fellow Americans were killing unarmed Vietnamese civilians, he landed his helicopter between a group of Vietnamese huddled in a hut and a detachment of Americans hot in pursuit. He had his gunners point their weapons at the Americans and threaten to kill them if they did not disengage. Upon his return to the States (after being shot down 5 times and wounded), Thompson found himself villified not only at his home in Georgia but, also, during hearings before the US Congress. See 1998 CNN interview with Thompson and Wikipedia. At the 30 year anniversary of My Lai, Thompson returned to Vietnam and was able to meet some of the people he saved that day. Later in 1998, the US Government finally recognized Thompson's valor and awarded he (and his 2 crewmates) the Soldier's Medal, the United States Army's highest award for bravery not involving direct contact with the enemy. Rest in peace my friend. 1-13-2006. Add Comment Permalink
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