Rape Charges at My Lai: Hodges was charged with rape during the My Lai massacre. Witnesses testified about widespread sexual violence committed by Charlie Company soldiers against Vietnamese women and girls during the operation, and Hodges was among those specifically identified as perpetrators.

Murder Charges in Connection with Massacre: In addition to rape charges, Hodges was charged with murder for his role in killing unarmed Vietnamese civilians during the My Lai operation. As a sergeant, he held a position of authority within the platoon and bore additional responsibility for the conduct of soldiers under him.

Charges Dropped Before Trial: Despite being charged with both rape and murder, the charges against Hodges were dropped before trial. The decision to drop charges reflected the military justice system's systematic reluctance to prosecute My Lai participants, particularly on sexual violence charges that were harder to prove with the passage of time.

Sexual Violence as Systematic Pattern at My Lai: Hodges's charges were part of a broader pattern of sexual violence documented at My Lai. The Peers Commission found evidence that multiple soldiers committed rapes during the operation, often killing their victims afterward. This systematic sexual violence demonstrated that My Lai was not simply a combat excess but a complete breakdown of military discipline and moral conduct.

Peers Commission Documentation: The Peers Commission investigation identified Hodges as one of the soldiers who should face charges for actions at My Lai. The commission documented testimony from multiple witnesses about his conduct during the operation, recommending prosecution on both rape and murder charges.

Impunity for My Lai Sexual Violence: The dropping of rape charges against Hodges and other soldiers reflected a broader failure to address sexual violence as a weapon of war. No soldier was ever convicted of sexual assault at My Lai despite extensive documentation of these crimes by the Peers Commission.