The My Lai Courts-Martial: Chronology

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111 B.C.	Chinese conquer what is now northern Vietnam
A.D. 939	China ends its rule over the Vietnamese; an independent state is established.
1802	Nguyen Anh unites the country and calls it Vietnam.
1858-1883	France controls Vietnam.
1940-1945	Japan control Vietnam during World War II.
1945	Viet Minh,a broad front of Vietnamese patriots and nationalists controlled by Communist Party,seize power. Ho Chi Minh announces independence.
November, 1946	French forces attack Viet Minh in Haiphong, sparking war of resistance against France.
1950	Democratic Republic of Vietnam is recognized by China and the USSR.
1954	At Geneva Conference Vietnam is split into the North and South at the17th Parallel. The Vietminh defeat the French.
1956	Ngo Dinh Diem (President of South Vietnam) begins campaign against political dissidents.
1957	Beginning of Communist insurgency in the South.
1959	Weapons and men from North Vietnam begin infiltrating the south.
1960	American aid to Diem decreases.
1962	Number of US military advisors in South Vietnam rises to 12,000.
November 1, 1963	Ngo Dinh Diem killed, Vietnamese military took over.
August 7, 1964	Congress adopts Gulf of Tonkin Resolution giving president broad military powers.
February 5, 1965	US begins strategic bombing of the North.
March 8, 1965	First US marines go ashore in direct combat role at Danang.
January 30, 1968	North Vietnam and the Viet Cong begin new phase of the war known as the Tet Offensive.
March 15, 1968	Captain Medina gathers troops for a pep talk.
March 16, 1968	Assault on Son My Village
March 29, 1969	Rob Ridenhour's writes letter descibing the My Lai incident and its cover-up.
April 23, 1969	Inspector General makes full inquiry.
June 13, 1969	Hugh Thompson identifies William Calley as the officer present at My Lai.
August 4, 1969	General Westmoreland orders the I.G. to turn over the investigation to the Criminal Investigation Division. September 4, 1969 Charges brought against Calley.
November 3, 1969	Nixon announces "Vietnamization" program.
November 13, 1969	First Story of My Lai published.
November 14, 1969	Second story published, with eyewitness accounts. Haeberle photos published.
December 13, 1969	Secretary of defense reports that anyone involved in the killings will be prosecuted.
March 10, 1970	Captain Ernest Medina charged with murder.
March 14, 1970	Peers Report delivered to Westmoreland.
March 17, 1970	Fourteen officers charged with offenses related to My Lai.
February 26, 1971	Charges against the officers not at My Lai dropped.
March 29, 1971	Charges against several officers at My Lai dropped.
March 29, 1971	Calley convicted.
March 31, 1971	Calley sentenced to life.
April 3, 1971	President Nixon promises to personally review Calley's case.
August 17, 1971	Trial against Medina commences.
August 20, 1971	Calley's sentence reduced to twenty years.
September 23, 1971	Medina acquitted of all charges after jury deliberates for 60 minutes.
January 27, 1973	The United States, North and South Vietnam, and the Viet Cong sign a cease fire agreement.
March 29, 1973	The last U.S. ground troops leave Vietnam.
July 31, 1973	Congress votes to end all bombing in Indochina and to ban any future military moves in area without prior congressional approval.
December 21, 1973	Military Court of Appeals upholds Calley's conviction.
April 16, 1974	Calley's sentence reduced to ten years.
September 24, 1974	Calley's conviction reviewed by District Court.
November 9, 1974	Calley released on bond.
November 13, 1974	Peers Report released in part.
April 30, 1975	Saigon falls, the South is defeated and the war ends.
September 10, 1975	Calley paroled, after serving only three and a half years.
1998	Hugh Thompson honored in 30th anniversary commemoration for his heroism at My Lai.
May 10, 1998	Ron Ridenhour died of an apparent heart attack while playing handball.
Today	Calley manages a jewelry store in Georgia. (He married the owner's daughter.)

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