The massacre was originally reported as a battle against Viet Cong troops, and was covered up in initial investigations by the U.S. Army. The efforts of veteran Ronald Ridenhour and journalist Seymour Hersh broke the news of the massacre to the American public in November 1969, prompting global outrage and contributing to domestic opposition to involvement in the war. Twenty-six soldiers were charged with criminal offenses, but only Lieutenant William Calley Jr., the leader of 1st Platoon in C Company, was convicted. He was found guilty of murdering 22 villagers and originally given a life sentence, but served three-and-a-half years under house arrest after U.S. president Richard Nixon commuted his sentence.
The massacre was originally reported as a battle against Viet Cong troops and was covered up in initial investigations by the US Army The efforts of veteran Ronald Ridenhour and journalist Seymour Hersh broke the news of the massacre to the American public in November 1969 prompting global outrage and contributing to domestic opposition to involvement in the war Twenty-six soldiers were charged with criminal offenses but only Lieutenant William Calley Jr the leader of 1st Platoon in C Company was convicted He was found guilty of murdering 22 villagers and originally given a life sentence but served three-and-a-half years under house arrest after US president Richard Nixon commuted his sentence