http://www.usnews.com/usnews/doubleissue/heroes/thompson.htm
Hugh Thompson was a 24 year old helocopter pilot in Vietnam in 1968 when he became a hero. He was flying low in order to attract enemy fire when he saw piles of dead persons and dead water buffalo. He dropped in for a closer look and found US soldiers killing civilians. It was My Lai, a massacre of more than 500 civilians. He could have flown away, but instead he placed himself between the firing soldiers and the civilians, and carried some civilians to safety.
Lt Thompson reported the incident to his superiors, but they didn't pay much attention to him and no one was prosecuted until investigative reporting by Seymour M Hersh finally exposed the massacre. Thompson testified at the trial and, afterwards, was ostricized by his peers. In one officers' canteen, he was left to drink alone at the bar. Everyone around him got up and moved to a different part of the room.
It wasn't until 1998 when Thompson was recognized by his country for his actions that day in Vietnam. He was awarded a medal for his bravery. Hugh Thompson is a true hero. Many medal winners say they were just doing their job, and they are probably right. Lt Thompson's actions were unpopular and were not part of his job, but they were clearly the right thing to do. He is a hero in the true sense.
Hugh Thompson died today at age 64 of cancer.
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