There were many events leading up to the Vietnam War, which began in 1945 with hostilities between the French and the Viet Minh. “U.S. geopolitical strategy, economics, domestic politics, and cultural arrogance shaped growing American involvement in Vietnam” (Anderson 1). As a matter of fact, the Vietnam War lasted several wars, but it was not until 1962 that America had its first combat mission, however, Americans were killed during ambushes by the Vietnamese before the first combat mission. There is much controversy about the reasons for the Vietnam War, supported by the numerous books and articles written about the war. “The most famous atrocity occurred in a small village called My Lai in March 1968” (Detzer 127). History shows that the reaction of many Americans to the attack of American soldiers on the village of My Lai during the Vietnam War was one of opposition, and the actions of American soldiers during the My Lai massacre will forever be remembered as a significant part of the Vietnam War. War and American history. During the Vietnam War, the first platoon (about forty men) was led by a young officer named William Calley. Young Calley was drafted into the US Army after high school, but it didn't take him long to adjust to the Army, with a quick transition to the military lifestyle, he wanted to make it his career. In high school, Calley was a kind, nice, and “regular” high school student. He seemed like a normal teenager, interested in the things that other kids his age typically had. He has never been observed acting cruelly or brutally. In Vietnam, Calley was under the direct command of the company commander, Captain Ernest Medina, whom he saw as a role model. (Detzer 127). Story......half of the paper......and innocent villagers of My Lai, it was a time when Americans questioned their own as "bad boys" or "good boys". Should America's torturous and cruel acts be considered patriotic or dishonorable? Some Americans, feeling bitter for all the American lives lost in the Vietnam War, credited Lieutenant Calley for leading the troops in participating in such a heinous event. History shows that on some facts of the massacre there is still a lot of debate and many stories and opinions, even if we will never know the facts exactly, what we know is that America will never forget this tragic event, it will be talked about in American History for many years to come, and the hearts of the Vietminh will always fill with sadness when they think of the many lives lost on that tragic day in history, their minds will always have unspeakable memories of that day.