Ep 046 "Review and Discussion: My Lai: Vietnam, 1968, and the Descent into Darkness by Howard Jones"
Vlad the Impaler meets American soldiering in the martial disaster of US involvement in Vietnam.
Editor’s Note: The revelations in this podcast come with a disclaimer, don’t listen to this podcast episode if you are squeamish or still have a scintilla of approval for the disastrous US invasion of Vietnam.
I discuss the slaughter of over 500 unarmed men, women and children in My Lai in March 1968 by American soldiers.
In concert with the Tet Offensive in 1968, this was the end of American arms in Vietnam.
The collision of barbarism, toxic leadership and moral injury make everyone of these pages bleed. One of the most searing indictments of American arms you will read. This book is an acquired taste because it may crush your soul.
I caution you before you listen to this that the telling of this tale is will haunt any decent human being forever.
My Lai, a subdivision of Son My village, was located in the province of Quang Ngai, roughly 7 miles (11 km) northeast of Quang Ngai city. The area had been dubbed “Pinkville” by U.S. soldiers because of the reddish color used to indicate the densely populated My Lai area on military maps.
Pinkville: 15°10′42″N 108°52′10″E / 15.17833°N 108.86944°E
References:
Howard Jones My Lai: Vietnam, 1968, and the Descent into Darkness
Nick Turse Kill Anything That Moves: The Real American War in Vietnam
Karl Marlantes What It Is Like to Go to War
Bill Russel Edmonds God is Not Here: A Soldier's Struggle with Torture, Trauma, and the Moral Injuries of War
Clark Savage King of All Things: A Guide to Man's Martial Purpose
Dick Couch A Tactical Ethic: Moral Conduct in the Insurgent Battlespace
Andrew Bacevich Paths of Dissent: Soldiers Speak Out Against America's Misguided Wars
Shauna Springer WARRIOR: How to Support Those Who Protect Us
Jonathan Shay Achilles in Vietnam: Combat Trauma and the Undoing of Character
Jonathan Shay Odysseus in America: Combat Trauma and the Trials of Homecoming
Podcast: Martyrmade: Anything That Moves - The My Lai Massacre (w/History on Fire)
Email at cgpodcast@pm.me.
Bill, I never tire of listening and learning from you. We have all suffered moral injury in serving this Country whether it be voluntarily, involuntarily, or superficially. In order to protect those we lead, the ones we love, or whether those wounds be from challenging the senior leaders who lack moral fortitude, those are scars I would gladly display.