1st Lieutenant Lorance and his undeserving punishment

Without seeing or hearing the testimony that was presented at the Courts Martial, it's hard to give an informed opinion as to what happened. I've read LT Lorance's defense website, but that's only half of the story. I'd like to see LT Lorance's initial reports and the reports of his Soldiers on the ground. There is just not enough information readily available to make a reasonable jump to any kind of conclusion that would overturn or contradict the Courts Martial verdict.

Nothing new after all these years. Ask any Vietnam vet about knowing when your compound was going to get hit. We had the same young kid, probably 11-12 years old. When he showed up outside our wire with his little pad and pencil, it was obvious what he was doing. That night or the day after we would get hit. We were never allowed to take the kid out take him into custody because of the ROE. As a result, men got hurt and lots of damage from the rockets and mortars. Just because they don't show hostile intent at that moment does not mean they are the enemy. It was true of the VC and it is true of the Terrorists. They will smile and work with you by day, but at night they actively try to kill you.

My only hope is that the Army found sufficient proof of criminal intent and did not use him as an example.

The men killed were not scouts and were not tracking or communicating with a larger force. They were locals who were returning to their village, a search of their bodies turned up only personal effects and identification, no weapons and no comms. I think you need to read up on better accounts of the events that day.