Final answer:
The primary responsibility for the deaths of Iraqi civilians lies with the officers who ordered the men to fire on them, including Lieutenant William Calley, the convicted officer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question is History.
In the given information, it is mentioned that the military covered up an incident in which innocent civilians were killed. The lowest-ranking officer, Lieutenant William Calley, was convicted for ordering his men to fire on the civilians. However, some argue that higher-ranking officers should also be held accountable for the larger crime.
In my opinion, the primary responsibility for the deaths of Iraqi civilians lies with the officers who ordered the men to fire on them, including Lieutenant William Calley, the convicted officer. While the soldiers may have been following orders, it is ultimately the responsibility of those in command to ensure the safety and protection of civilians. The decision to engage and kill innocent civilians was unlawful and goes against the principles of warfare.