Historically significant TLS signed “Jerry Ford,” one page, 8 x 10.5, House of Representatives letterhead, April 1, 1971. Letter to Allen Diamond concerning the "Lt. Calley case," referring to the March 29th conviction of US Army Lieutenant William Calley for the murder of 22 unarmed South Vietnamese civilians in the My Lai massacre. In part: "I share the grave concern which you expressed. Vietnam veterans with whom I have talked were astonished by the Defense Department's decision to prosecute Lt. Calley. They are distressed and angered by the court martial verdict. I am sure this verdict will be appealed to higher authority, and I hope that Lt. Calley will benefit from equity and justice.
There is an established procedure for appeals in cases of this nature. The convening authority, in this case the Commanding General at Fort Benning, must pass on the findings and the sentence. He can reduce the findings and reduce the sentence. Then there will be an automatic review by the Army Court of Military Review in Washington. There is also the right of appeal to the Court of Military Appeals, a civilian court in the nation's capital. Incidentally, former Senator Homer Ferguson of Michigan is currently one of the three judges on this court.
You will also be interested to know that the Military Justice Act of 1968 provides that confinement must be deferred pending completion of the appellate review which in this case could take from 18 months to two years. So upon application to the convening authority at Fort Benning by Lt. Calley his confinement could be deferred during the time the case is being reviewed by higher authority. Again, I share with you a sincere hope that the end result will be equity and justice for Lt. Calley." In fine condition.
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