Ronald Ridenhour
Ronald Lee "Ron" Ridenhour | |
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Ridenhour in 1969 | |
| Born | April 6, 1946 Oakland, California, U.S. |
| Died | May 10, 1998 (aged 52) Metairie, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Phoenix Junior College Claremont Men's College |
| Occupation | investigative journalist |
| Known for | Exposing the My Lai massacre |
| External image | |
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| Ron Ridenhour's press card. Displayed at The Ridenhour Prizes: About Ron. |
Ronald Lee Ridenhour (April 6, 1946 – May 10, 1998) was an American known for having played a central role in spurring the federal investigation of the 1968 My Lai massacre in Vietnam. When he first learned of events there, he was serving in the United States 11th Infantry Brigade in Vietnam. He gathered evidence and interviewed people before the end of his tour. After returning to the US in 1969, he wrote to President Nixon, members of his cabinet and two dozen Congressmen recounting what he had learned. A full-scale Department of Defense investigation eventually took place.
Ridenhour became an award-winning investigative journalist, working on a range of topics. The Ridenhour Prizes were established in his honor.