Abstract:

"This moving segment from 60 Minutes documents the return to My Lai of former U.S. Army helicopter crew members Larry Colburn and Hugh Thompson, who, during the infamous massacre 30 years earlier, risked their lives to save a handful of the village's women and children. Together with Mike Wallace, they meet some of the people they rescued—and relive bitter memories. Archival footage (including 1969 interviews Wallace conducted with perpetrators of the massacre) provides historical background. The program can serve as a starting point for class discussion of questions such as: What is a war crime?, Why do some people follow their conscience, while others "just follow orders"?, and Could it happen again? (The Forgotten Hero hardback by Trent Angers describes events at My Lai, the cover-up and trial, and the campaign to award medals to Thompson and his crew."