USA: MEN WHO RESCUED CIVILIANS FROM MY LAI MASSACRE HONOURED скачать в хорошем качестве

USA: MEN WHO RESCUED CIVILIANS FROM MY LAI MASSACRE HONOURED

(6 Mar 1998) English/Nat Nearly 30 years after U-S troops massacred some 500 Vietnamese civilians at My Lai two men were honoured for stopping them. With the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the background, former U-S Army helicopter pilot Hugh Thompson and door gunner Lawrence Colburn received the prestigious Soldier's Medal. On March 16th of 19-68, Thompson landed his helicopter between a group of frightened Vietnamese villagers and advancing Americans. Thompson, Colburn and a third crewman, aimed their weapons at their fellow Americans and rescued the civilians from the My Lai massacre. Thirty years after one of the blackest moments in U-S military history, the Army honoured the forgotten heroes of the My Lai massacre. Former U-S helicopter pilot Hugh Thompson and door gunner Lawrence Colburn stood with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the background. The two were awarded the prestigious Soldier's Medal for bravery in an incident in Vietnam that many Americans would rather forget. On March 16th of 19-68 Thompson landed his helicopter in the line of fire between American ground troops and Vietnamese civilians fleeing the village of My Lai. Colburn and another crewman gave Thompson cover as he stopped the U-S forces and coaxed the civilians out of a bunker. Thompson's crew evacuated at least 10 villagers, saving them from certain death. Leaving the area, Colburn spotted movement in a ditch filled with bodies. The helicopter landed and dug a wounded child from among the dead, ferrying the child to a hospital. Thompson and Colburn stood somberly as the medals were pinned on their chests. Glenn Andreotta, the third crewman, will be honoured posthumously in a later ceremony. He died in a helicopter crash three weeks after My Lai. The trio's efforts ended the My Lai massacre, but not before some 500 Vietnamese civilians were killed. Lieutenant William Calley was court-martialed for what happened. He always said he was following orders. Thompson, his voice trembling, said the medal was for all honourable veterans. SOUNDBITE: (English) "Finally, I would like to recognise all Vietnam veterans who are alive today, all across America, and especially to those who were on the wall right after the lift. I would like to thank all them who served their country with honour. In a very real sense, this medal is for you. In a very real sense, this medal is for you." SUPER CAPTION: Hugh Thompson, Vietnam Veteran Colburn expressed a wish and borrowed a quote. SOUNDBITE: (English) "It is my solemn wish that we all never forget the tragedy and the brutality of war. And I would like to quote General Douglas McArthur. 'The soldier, be he friend or foe, is charged with the protection of the weak and the unarmed, it is his very existence for being.'" SUPER CAPTION: Lawrence Colburn, Vietnam Veteran After the ceremony, the two men made rubbings of Andreotta's name on the Vietnam Wall, while his family looked on. The medals conclude the long story of My Lai by giving the men long withheld recognition. Some insist the military was reluctant to honour Thompson, Colburn and Andreotta because it was a bitter brand of heroism which some blame on the nation's shame. But the Pentagon denies that charge. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...