William Laws Calley Jr., the former Army lieutenant who led the U.S. soldiers involved in the infamous My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War, has passed away at the age of 80. According to his Florida death record, Calley died on April 28 in Gainesville. Calley had been living an obscure life in Gainesville for years after being convicted in 1971 for his role in the massacre that saw the killing of hundreds of Vietnamese civilians in My Lai and a nearby community. The shocking event, which occurred on March 16, 1968, led to the death of 504 unresisting civilians, predominantly women, children, and elderly men.

Witnesses reported that the rampage began when Calley and American soldiers of Charlie Company attacked My Lai after a sergeant was killed by a booby trap, sparking anger among the troops. The murders included bayoneting, grenade killings, and acts of violence such as gang rapes against the innocent civilians. The news of the massacre did not surface until more than a year later, contributing significantly to turning public opinion against the Vietnam War. The barbaric incident at My Lai was not an isolated case, with estimates suggesting that between 1 to 2 million civilians lost their lives during the U.S. ground war in Vietnam from 1965 to 1973.

Calley's conviction in 1971 marked a significant moment in the history of American military justice, as he became the sole individual found guilty among the 25 initially charged for their involvement in the massacre. Even though he was sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering 22 people during the My Lai atrocities, Calley served only three days in jail before his sentence was reduced by then-President Richard Nixon. He ultimately spent three years under house arrest.

After his release, Calley largely stayed out of the public eye, living a quiet life in different locations, including Atlanta, where he avoided media attention. In 2009, at the encouragement of a friend, he spoke publicly about the My Lai massacre for the first time since his court-martial, reflecting on the legacy of the event and the nature of war itself. Despite never formally apologizing or admitting guilt, Calley expressed hope that the atrocity at My Lai would serve as a poignant reminder of the horrors of war and the urgent need for its prevention.