The harshest criticism of the Air Force came from Rear Admiral Ralph A. Ofstie, who’d toured the burned-out cities of Japan after the war. He described the atomic blitz as “random mass slaughter of men, women, and children.” The whole idea was “ruthless and barbaric” and contrary to American values. “We must insure that our military techniques do not strip us of self-respect,” Ofstie said.
The Native Americans might question whether such destruction is truly contrary to American values. They lost almost their entire culture, along with their lands and their people.
African-Americans might have different, but similar complaints. The cruelty inflicted upon them for hundreds of years of slavery, and then a century of Jim Crow, and now a less institutionalized racism.
America isn't special in the annihilation of its enemies, but we also aren't special in refraining to do so.