William Calley

For the English Member of Parliament, see William Calley (MP). For the American football player, see William Caley.

William Calley
Calley after his arrest, 1969
Born
William Laws Calley Jr.

(1943-06-08)June 8, 1943
Miami, Florida, U.S.
DiedApril 28, 2024(2024-04-28) (aged 80)
Gainesville, Florida, U.S.
Conviction(s)
Criminal penaltyLife imprisonment with hard labor
Military career
Allegiance United States
Service / branch United States Army
Years of service1966–1971
Rank Second lieutenant[1]
Unit1st Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 11th Infantry Brigade, 23rd Infantry Division (Americal)
Battles / wars

William Laws Calley Jr. (June 8, 1943 – April 28, 2024) was a United States Army officer convicted by court-martial of the murder of 22 unarmed South Vietnamese civilians in the My Lai massacre on March 16, 1968, during the Vietnam War. Calley was released to house arrest under orders by President Richard Nixon three days after his conviction. The United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia granted him a new trial, but that ruling was overturned by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. His initial life sentence having been modified to a term of 20 years and then further reduced to ten, Calley ultimately served three years of house arrest for the murders. Public opinion at the time about Calley was divided.[2] After his dismissal from the U.S. Army and release from confinement, Calley avoided public attention.

  1. ^ "WSB-TV newsfilm clip of a reporter John Philp conducting street interviews with civilians and soldiers outside the commissary following the conviction of Lieutenant William Calley for his role in the My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War, Fort Benning, Georgia". Civil Rights Digital Library. University System of Georgia. March 30, 1971. Retrieved August 22, 2009. Calley was a member of the Alpha Company, 1st battalion, 20th infantry regiment, 11th infantry brigade while in Vietnam.
  2. ^ Katz, Andrew (August 17, 2013). "Field of Dishonor: Famous American Court-Martials – Lieut. William Calley". Time. Retrieved February 23, 2018.