WHAT WERE THE MAJOR DRIVERS OF WAR CRIMES IN THE MY LAI MASSACRE, THE HIGHWAY OF DEATH, AND THE EDDIE GALLAGHER INCIDENT?
Loading...
Authors
Hunter, Kevin M.
Subjects
morality
ethics
military training
Vietnam
ethics
military training
Vietnam
Advisors
Shore, Zachary
Date of Issue
2023-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
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.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs (NSA)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.