Pardon This Soldier (And Set Him Free)

Annotation

The song "Pardon This Soldier (And Set Him Free)" (Plaza # 45-108), released in Montgomery, Alabama, by country singer Merritt Jordan, received an endorsement from the state Governor George Wallace: "Dear Announcer: This song "Pardon This Soldier" expresses some of the sentiment concerning Lt. Calley's appeal for freedom. I feel that your listening audience would appreciate hearing the words and music. George C. Wallace, Governor". Dated 19 April 1971. (1) So this song supported Calley, calling on President Nixon to set him free because he served his country: "oh Mr. President, won't you set him free, he was doing his job for you and for me". This fitted in with a large degree of public support for Calley. According to Nixon's autobiography "The Memoirs of Richard Nixon" (New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1978), p.500: "public reaction to this announcement was emotional and sharply divided. More than 5,000 telegrams arrived at the White House, running 100 to 1 in favor of clemency." Two days after the Calley conviction, on 1 April 1971, Nixon placed Calley under house arrest during his appeal. Jimmy Carter, governor of Georgia, and George Wallace backed the move. Nixon went on to claim…

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Notes

endorsement from the state Governor George Wallace on the back of the picture sleeve: "Dear Announcer: This song "Pardon This Soldier" expresses some of the sentiment concerning Lt. Calley's appeal for freedom. I feel that your listening audience would appreciate hearing the words and music. George C. Wallace, Governor"

Themes

My Lai · Patriotic · Pro-Calley · Nixon · Calley-Justice · Wallace

In collections

My Lai & Lt. William Calley Songs · US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs