William R. Peers

William Ray Peers (June 14, 1914 – April 6, 1984) was a United States Army general, who is most notable for presiding over the Peers Commission investigation into the Mỹ Lai massacre during the Vietnam War.

Biography Peers, often referred to by his middle name "Ray" by close associates, was born in Stuart, Iowa, in 1914 and raised in Covina, California. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where he was president of the Sigma Pi fraternity chapter and was a member of the Bruins' football, wrestling, and rugby teams. He was also a member of Blue Key and a captain in the ROTC. He graduated with a degree from the College of Education in 1937.

He received a regular Army commission in 1938 after spending a year in the army at the Presidio. After receiving his commission, he was assigned to the First Infantry Regiment in Ft. Francis E. Warren, Wyoming. At the time, the 1st Regiment was a test unit for new equipment, tactics, and organization. Based in the Central Highlands, The I Field Force comprised some of the most aggressive American formations in Vietnam, including the 1st Cavalry Division, 101st Airborne Division and the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Peers also coordinated the operations of four South Vietnamese and the two elite South Korean divisions sent as that country's contribution. Under his leadership, allied troops decisively but controversially, defeated Viet Cong guerrillas and NVA regulars in the battles of Dak To in November 1967, and Duc Lap in August 1968. Two hundred and seventy eight American soldiers were killed taking hill 875 that the NVA eventually evacuated (hill 875, Dak To).

In 1969, Peers was ordered by General Westmoreland to investigate the Mỹ Lai Massacre, being selected because of his reputation for fairness and objectivity. In 1970, Peers issued a report on the incident. Hugh Thompson, who, along with his helicopter crew, were the only soldiers who attempted to stop the massacre, said of the Peers report:

Peers died at the age of 69 on 6 April 1984, of a heart attack, at Letterman Army Medical Center at the Presidio of San Francisco.

Books published Peers, William R. and Dean Brelis. Behind the Burma Road. Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1963. Peers, William R., Joseph Goldstein, Burke Marshall, and Jack Schwartz. The My Lai Massacre and Its Cover-Up: Beyond the Reach of Law?: The Peers Commission Report. Free Press, 1976. Peers, William R. (1970). Robert E. Lester, ed. The Peers inquiry of the massacre at My Lai. Bethesda, MD: University Publications of America, 1996. Peers, William R. My Lai Inquiry. W W Norton & Co Inc., 1979.

In popular culture Oliver Stone's film Pinkville to feature Bruce Willis as William Peers. This film project was cancelled.