Hugh Thompson

Hugh Thompson Jr. was a United States Army helicopter pilot who intervened during the My Lai Massacre on March 16, 1968, during the Vietnam War. While on a reconnaissance mission, Thompson witnessed unarmed Vietnamese civilians being killed by U.S. soldiers. He landed his helicopter between the soldiers and the remaining civilians, ordering his crew to aim their weapons at the soldiers if they fired on the civilians. Thompson then evacuated the civilians, directly defying orders and risking court-martial. His actions are credited with saving lives and brought attention to the atrocities committed. Thompson, along with his crew, was later awarded the Soldier's Medal for their bravery.1