What Were the Major Drivers of War Crimes in the My Lai Massacre, the Highway of Death, and the Eddie Gallagher Incident?
Abstract
This thesis undertakes a rigorous exploration of the institutional causes of war crimes within the U.S. military, utilizing pivotal incidents the My Lai--Massacre, the Highway of Death, and the Eddie Gallagher--incident as case studies. These events, spanning several decades, serve as a lens to scrutinize the systemic factors and prevailing mentalities that have, at times, led U.S. forces to engage in behaviors that breach ethical and moral standards. The My Lai Massacre during the Vietnam War reveals layers of command failures, breakdowns in training, and the harsh realities of counter-insurgency warfare. The Highway of Death draws attention to the complexities of modern conflict, where the delineation between legal and ethical can often become obfuscated. Lastly, the Eddie Gallagher incident brings to the fore the pressing challenges the U.S. military faces in the realms of special operations. Central to this exploration is the recognition that, in many cases, the prevailing military culture and training paradigms might not adequately prepare troops for the moral quandaries of the battlefield. The ultimate goal is to foster a military environment where legality and morality coexist, and where the U.S. forces are better equipped, both mentally and ethically, for the complexities of contemporary warfare.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1225358
Entities
People
- Kevin M. Hunter
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School