The Forgotten Hero of My Lai: The Hugh Thompson Story

I am so glad for this book. It's undoubtedly a story about a true hero who inspires me as I'm sure it does others. I was saddened to hear he passed. On Friday Jan 6 he moved on. Many of us, can't, and will never forget what your memory means to us. God Speed Hugh, you have many friends here still on the earth very proud of you. Col. Tom Kolditz, head of the U.S. Military Academy's behavioral sciences, said, in honor of Hugh, "There are so many people today walking around alive because of him, not only in Vietnam, but people who kept their units under control under other circumstances because they had heard his story. We may never know just how many lives he saved." Read the book, it's inspirational, and we need not ever forget. Our values we hold dear as human beings are all we have, and when we leave, it's all we leave behind. Never compromise them. Never. Honor, Respect, Dignity. I can only hope this story is told even more widely so we have less chance this memory of such a great man ever fades. GOD Speed Hugh, light a candle up there, we'll be there soon!

I read the book in two nights, reading and re-reading pages of unbelievable courage and heroism. I was amazed that a young man of 24 had such courage and compassion in a situation that easily could have meant his death. For thirty years leading politicians--yes, even the President--the top military and the Pentagon have buried this unbelievable act of heroism. But now the true story is available in this book. I strongly urge every parent to present this book to their sons and daughters for them to use Hugh Thompson's example of valor, compassion, love of mankind as a role model to always do the right thing no matter what the cost. Frank Robles

It is impossible not to be moved by this great story. Any serviceman will know that not obeying orders and even worse - to turn your weapons on your own and make a cristal clear threat - usually means severe trouble; either being shot at the spot or to be court-martialled and cicked out of the military. This is the unique story of a man and his crew who did just that. - To save some total strangers; some civilians they did't know and had no responsibility for. They could easily have turned their heads away, and gotten away from it. But they acted, and took charge. Humanity needs heroes and ideals that we can look up to and to lead us in difficult moments. The two surviving crew members have been my true heroes through more than ten of my military years. Their My Lai story of courage and ideals and high morale has been tought to Norwegian, Swedish and Danish soldiers and officers as military ethics, code of conduct and law of war for many years already. The British TV film on My Lai, shown also in all the Scandinavian countries should be seen by servicemen and particularly in all military academies all over the world. This book is an impressive and important milestone. My compliments and highest recommendation. Terje Lund. Major, Royal Norwegian Air Force, Attorney at law, Special adviser on international humanitarian law, Norwegian Red Cross. "The opposite of love is not hate, but indifference." (Elie Wiesel)

If you liked the movie "Saving Private Ryan", you will love this book. The only important difference is this one is a true story! It will restore your faith in the courage of three ordinary soldiers who risked their lives to save innocent women, childern, and elderly civilians during a barbarous killing rampage at My Lai in 1968. Hugh Thompson, the helicopter pilot, who directed the ad hoc rescue operation, also endured nearly 30 years of criticism and indifference from many of his peers in the armed forces. At long last, the heroic actions of Mr. Thompson, Larry Colburn, and Glenn Andreotta have finally been recognized and appreciated by the government of the United States. This book proves that it is never too late to correct a wrong and that true American heroes live among us. Every parent concerned about the dangerous effects of peer pressure should buy this book as a gift to their childern.