My Lai Massacre convict Calley apologizes

COLUMBUS, Ga., Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Army Lt. William Calley says he is deeply sorry for his part in the My Lai Massacre during the Vietnam War.

Speaking this week at an event in Columbus, Ga., the man who was convicted on 22 counts of murder for the 1968 massacre in Vietnam offered his first public apology for the notorious incident, the Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer said Friday.

"There is not a day that goes by that I do not feel remorse for what happened that day in My Lai," Calley said Wednesday.

"I feel remorse for the Vietnamese who were killed, for their families, for the American soldiers involved and their families. I am very sorry."

Hundreds of civilians in the Vietnamese hamlet of My Lai were killed in March 1968 when a group of U.S. troops opened fire on them.

Calley was convicted on related charges after journalist Seymour Hersh revealed details of the massacre.

Calley alleges he was ordered to attack My Lai and was told any survivors at the hamlet could pose a threat to U.S. troops, the Ledger-Enquirer said.