Defense of Ernest Medina

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Recommended: Emotional and psychological effects of war on soldiers

“I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.”(Albert Einstein) The motto of the media is “if it bleeds it leads”, the only things to make the front page are things that tarnish the image of people. In time of war the media will never print stories of great achievements of soldiers but the casualties or the “politically incorrect”. In war there is no such thing as politically incorrect and there is a thin red line between whats moral and unmoral, especially in Vietnam.

Medina started his military career by lying to recruiting officials by telling them he was 18 when he was only 16. Started out being a radio operator but being to small to carry the 65 pound radio he became a cook.(Eckhardt) Medina was sent to Germany, seeing the horrors after just finishing basic training. He then started OCS, Officer candidate school, and finished with high rewards and being the head of his graduating class. After graduating he then taught at the OCS for two years and was then made commander of Charlie Company in December of 1966.(Eckhardt)

On the eve of March 16th 1968 Captain Medina briefed his men on the mission into the region of Quang Ngai, specifically the town of My Lai.(Eckhardt) He gave the orders to go into the town of my lai and lay ground fire, meaning not to shoot at civilians but to shoot the ground or into the air to give a warning to civilians.(Eckhardt) The orders that he gave came from Lieutenant Colonel Frank Barker, who briefed Medina on the morning of the 16th and told him there would be no civilians in the town or vicinity of My Lai. Barker told Medina that Vietcong had retreated into the region of Quang Ngai, and especially into the town of My Lai....

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...ho have seen the end of war.”(Plato)

Works Cited

Eckhardt, William. "William Calley." Biography of William Calley. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb 2012. .

"The My Lai Massacre." Vietnam Online. PBS, 3292005. Web. Jan 20 2012. .

Eckhardt, William. "Ernest Medina." Biography of Ernest Medina. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Jan 2012. .

Ridenhour, Ron. "Letter To Congress." Ron Ridenhour Letter to White House. N.p., 29/03/1969. Web. 3 Feb 2012. .

. "Men involved in My Lai." Massacre at My Lai. PBS, n.d. Web. 3 Feb 2012.

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