As the featured lecturer for the guest speaker program, William Eckhardt opened up about his experience as the chief prosecutor in the Vietnam My Lai Massacre trial while talking to the Fort Leonard Wood community May 13.
Eckhardt spoke to a packed Lincoln Hall Auditorium, and his speech focused on professional conduct on the battlefield.
The Vietnam My Lai Massacre trial prosecuted Soldiers for killing civilians and trying to cover it up.
"Some say -- and this is a little harsh -- that our profession involves the killing of people and the breaking of things in the name of the state. There is no sugar coating that," said Eckhardt. "The other way to look at that is that we are peacekeepers and proud of it."
Eckhardt said the ability to talk about the My Lai Massacre and the ability to understand the incident is critical to understanding professional conduct on the battlefield.
"Consequences of inaction and unprofessional conduct on the battlefield transcend ill-discipline, individual criminal responsibility and staying on professional honor," Eckhardt said.
"Consequences of inaction and unprofessional conduct on the battlefield damages and destroys the war effort, they prostitute our political process and they simply pollute the morals of our society," he added.
According to Eckhardt, America has taken the My Lai Massacre and tried to do right by the horrific event by learning from it.
Lt. Col. Kevin Golinghorst, 1st Engineer Brigade executive officer, agreed, and said he was glad he has the opportunity to listen to Eckhardt speak.
"While the topic of My Lai is always very sobering to revisit, I found Mr. Eckhardt's presentation very insightful on professional conduct on the battlefield," Golinghorst said. "As leaders, we must take the time to learn, think and discuss the impacts and the consequences of ill-discipline so we can learn from the past and prevent it in the future. The American people expect it and our Soldiers deserve this professional discipline as we lead them."
Eckhardt's legal writings include, "My Lai: An American Tragedy," "The Role of the Lawyer in War: Lawyering for Uncle Sam When He Draws His Sword," "Nuremberg-Fifty Years: Accountability and Responsibility" and "Command Criminal Responsibility: A Plea for Workable Standard."
The next guest speaker is scheduled to be Dan Hesse, CEO of Sprint. He is scheduled to speak at noon July 8 in Lincoln Hall Auditorium.
Social Sharing