Ernest Medina
Ernest Medina | |
|---|---|
Medina's mugshot | |
| Birth name | Ernest Lou Medina |
| Born | August 27, 1936 Springer, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Died | May 8, 2018 (aged 81) Marinette, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1956–1971 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division |
| Commands | Company C, 1/20 Americal |
| Battles / wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Silver Star Bronze Star Medal Commendation Medal |
| Other work | Real estate businessman |
Ernest Lou Medina (August 27, 1936 – May 8, 2018) was a captain of infantry in the United States Army. He served during the Vietnam War. He was the commanding officer of Company C, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry of the 11th Brigade, Americal Division, the unit responsible for the My Lai massacre of 16 March 1968. He was court-martialed in 1971 for his role in that massacre, but acquitted the same year.
Despite his exoneration in court, the negative publicity surrounding Medina led him to resign from the U.S. Army soon after his acquittal, and he never worked in public service again. He eventually admitted to having "not been completely candid" at his court-martial, claiming it was done to protect his reputation and that of the Army. Medina ultimately worked at his family's real estate business for the rest of his career, never speaking publicly about the My Lai massacre. He died in 2018 at the age of 81.