Lawrence Manley Colburn, a helicopter gunner in the Vietnam War who helped end the slaughter of hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese villagers by U.S. troops at My Lai, has died. He was 67.
Lisa Colburn, speaking with The Associated Press on Thursday evening, said her husband of 31 years was diagnosed with cancer in late September and died Tuesday.
“It was very quick,” she said by phone from her Canton, Georgia, home near Atlanta. “He was a very peaceful man who had a great desire for there to be a peaceful world.”
She also called him “a compassionate person who was a hero in many people’s eyes.”
Colburn was the last surviving member of a U.S. Army crew that ended the My Lai massacre of March 16, 1968. According to accounts, pilot Hugh Thompson landed the helicopter between unarmed villagers and American troops and ordered Colburn and crew chief Glenn Andreotta to cover him.
Thompson then persuaded members of Charlie Company to stop shooting. The company’s soldiers had begun shooting that day even though they hadn’t come under attack, authorities later said. They added that it quickly escalated into an orgy of killing that claimed as many as 504 civilians — most of whom were women, children and the elderly.
In an initial Facebook post, Lisa Colburn confirmed the death and wrote: “As most of you know, Larry has been very ill for a while but his suffering ended today, 12/13/16/.” She added: “Your friendship meant a lot to him.”
She added the she and their son, Connor, “appreciate your love and support during this difficult time.”
Trent Angers, the biographer for Thompson, who wrote “The Forgotten Hero of My Lai: The Hugh Thompson Story,” said Colburn played an indispensable role in stopping the massacre at My Lai.
“He stood up, shoulder to shoulder with Hugh and Glenn, to oppose and stand down against those who were committing crimes against humanity. Without his assistance, Hugh might not have done what he did,” Angers said.
Colburn and Thompson were nominated for the Nobel Peace prize in 2001 for their actions and received the Soldier’s Medal, the highest U.S. military award for bravery not involving conflict with the enemy.
Thompson, who lived in Lafayette, Louisiana, died in 2006. Andreotta was killed in the Vietnam War three weeks after My Lai.
A memorial service for Colburn is planned Saturday, Jan. 7, at the Darby Funeral Home in Canton, Georgia, the funeral home said on its website. It said that in addition to his wife and son, Colburn is survived by three sisters.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
RIP Soldier, thanks for your service sir!
That ugly war produced many outstanding men & women, shameful that most have been forgotten. I say to Lawrence Manley Colburn a big thank you for your service, rest in peace and God be with you!
God bless your Mr. Coburn. You showed that even in the midst of the absolute insanity that human warfare is; a keen mind and a compassionate soul CAN bring an to the misery that is being spread so wantonly. I’m certain that our Creator will be glad to welcome you into His presence and proclaim “WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!!!”. What greater blessing could ever be given to someone than to hear that short phrase being made by THE ONE who gave all us life, a mind and a will to do whatever we might in the years ahead? .
Because of idiots like the attackers the rest of us were spit on as we returned from our duties as assigned. Men like
Lawrence Manley Colburn were men of pride, duty, and honor unlike a lot of others.
I am a Vietnamese refugee since 1975. I have had 6 siblings in uniforms, soldiers in Vietnam war. This is my understanding way before the Fall of Saigon, that the American G.I had no choice, but to kill the villagers, since the majority of them were peasants in the day time and North VN fighters at night. Of course, during that conflict some innocent people were caught in the middle.
A heartfelt thank you to Mr Colburn and your family for your great service in VN. RIP, Sir, I salute you!
Thank you for your service to keep us safe.
The best kind of hero…one who tries to save lives instead of taking them!!
RIP my Brother in Arms your War is over may the Good Lord Bless and Cradle you in His Loving Hands and be with your loving Family
“First Team” D=227 AHB CE
“INFANT”
Mr. Colburn died with a clean conscious concerning his service in Vietnam. Too bad his leaders in the US Military and Government can’t say the same. I’m sure that Lawrence has already met St. Peter.
What ever happened to that Lt Calley who was going to shoot a Sgt in the head with a..45 if he refused to shoot old women and children??
This situation is one where you know who truly has the integrity and honor to do the right thing at the right time for the right reason because they had the conscience and clear moral grounding that true heroes are made of. RIP…You and the rest of that crew are the epitome of what the word “hero” means.