Not at all sure I can agree here. Even in combat there are rules. Those rules are recognized by every civilized nation, and U.S. troops are specifically instructed on them (currently war crimes are covered under Article 134 of the UCMJ, along with specific elements of Articles 80-132 of the UCMJ).To those in this thread that have been critical of the conduct of American Soldiers/Sailors/Airmen during this war, I would like to ask this question:
How many of you have actually been in combat, in the field, in a hell hole like Tarawa, Iwo Jima, or Okinawa? If you have, then and ONLY THEN are you qualified to judge the actions of those men. To those that haven't, you owe those men your very existence AND your ability to sit at your computer and type up such disrespectful bilge. Consider that when forming your opinion.
WWII was one of the few times that mankind struggled against true evil. The Axis had to be destroyed, totally and utterly. The alternative was too terrible to comprehend.
To answer the other obvious question, no, despite 18 years of service in the United States Navy I have not seen combat either. But because of that I give those that have a great deal of credit and consideration before I begin to criticize.
It is very easy to defend American forces actions during WW II without implying that combat changes the basic rules of civilization (rules that, BTW, have been recognized and evolved since Feudal times). Mi Lai was a crime against AMERICAN law, it was also a war crime, but it was not necessary to have an international tribunal take action because AMERICAN law was properly applied (if the prosecution went far enough up the change of command is a potential discussion that has no place in this thread). The day we abandon our principals is the day we are done as a force for good in this world.