Photographing the My Lai Massacre: Haeberle documented the My Lai massacre as it occurred, capturing images of dead and dying civilians, terrified villagers moments before their execution, and the general destruction of the hamlet. He used two cameras: his Army-issued camera for routine shots and his personal Nikon for the most graphic and incriminating images.

Dual Camera Strategy: Haeberle's decision to use his personal camera for the most damning photographs proved critical. When he turned in his Army camera, the military destroyed or suppressed those images. By keeping the personal photos, Haeberle preserved evidence that might otherwise have been lost to the cover-up.

Publication in Cleveland Plain Dealer and Life Magazine: After the massacre became public in November 1969, Haeberle sold his photographs to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, which published them on November 20, 1969. Life magazine published a more comprehensive set on December 5, 1969. The images shocked the world and became some of the most widely reproduced war photographs in history.

Iconic Image of Victims on the Road: One of Haeberle's most famous photographs shows the bodies of dead Vietnamese civilians, including women and children, lying on a road in My Lai. Another devastating image captures a group of terrified women and children huddled together moments before they were killed. These images became internationally recognized symbols of the atrocity.

Monetization Controversy: Haeberle's decision to sell the photographs for publication drew some criticism from those who felt he should not profit from documenting a massacre. Others argued that without the financial incentive of publication, the photographs might never have been released publicly, and the evidence would have remained hidden.

Witness to the Massacre Without Intervention: As a photographer, Haeberle witnessed the massacre firsthand but did not attempt to intervene or stop the killing. His role raised questions about the responsibility of witnesses to act versus document, a dilemma faced by war photographers and journalists in conflict zones.