[Note]:
Three images from my various
Vietnam articles were used on 5 September 2024 by THIS WEEK IN
HISTORY, a Vietnam War Commemoration site honoring service, valor and
sacrifice, to honor Lieutenant Colonel Ferdinand Barger, a Joint United
States Army Public Affairs PSYOP adviser in Quang Ngai province who was
killed in an ambush 4 September 1968.
The Joint United States Public Affairs Office (JUSPAO) was one of the main
proponents of American propaganda during the Vietnam War. They produced thousands of
leaflets and posters that were printed and disseminated over the enemy in the millions. I
usually place these posters in my regular articles along with leaflets on the same general
themes, but the posters are big and bulky and I thought perhaps I should also give them
their own article. Many of the posters I depict here were printed by the 7th PSYOP Group
on Okinawa. They had the manpower and printing presses to support the various PSYOP units
in Vietnam during the war.
The United States Archives mentions Vietnam War propaganda posters and says in part:
We list 438 posters produced by the Joint U.S. Public Affairs Office (JUSPAO) for
use in psychological warfare activities supporting the Government of South Vietnam (GVN)
during the Vietnam War. The poster themes and designs reflect the fierce competition
between the two Vietnams, North and South, to “win the hearts and minds” of the
South Vietnamese public. Posters are grouped under ten main themes reflecting JUSPAO
propaganda priorities.
The theme with the largest poster concentration is "Support Social and
Economic Accomplishments," comprising one third of the total item count. This
category highlights the activities of the government's Revolutionary Development program
to work alongside rural Vietnamese in building houses, medical centers, roads, wells,
bridges, schools, markets, and in making other infrastructure improvements. Many of the
rural communities featured were the New Life Hamlets.
Another well-represented theme is “Encourage the Goals of the Chieu Hoi
Program,” referring to the South Vietnamese government program designed to encourage
and facilitate the defection of Viet Cong and North Vietnamese soldiers back to the
Southern cause.
The “Explain American Presence in Vietnam” grouping illustrates the
activities of U.S. military personnel in Vietnam, with the purpose of assuring the rural
people of the South of the friendly intentions of the United States. Several posters in
this category feature South Korean forces engaged in similar activities. A small number
also feature the activities in Vietnam of other allied forces from Thailand, New Zealand,
the Philippines and Australia.
Another large category, “Exploit All Military Victories,” publicizes
military victories won by Popular Forces, Regional Forces and Army of the Republic of
Vietnam (ARVN) forces against the Viet Cong.
The “Exploit Viet Cong Vulnerabilities” highlights the depredations and
atrocities committed by the Viet Cong in the South. Pictures show dead and wounded
atrocity victims, funerals of victims, captured Viet Cong perpetrators, buildings damaged
and destroyed in Viet Cong attacks, the hardships imposed on the people by Viet Cong
actions, and anti-Viet Cong protest rallies. A few posters also relate the story of the
Viet Cong defector, Nguyen Van Be, shown holding North Vietnamese newspapers that
erroneously announce his sacrifice of his life for the sake of the Northern cause.
The smaller-volume categories feature messages on public health issues,
Vietnamese armed forces recruitment, and a broad miscellany of subjects that include the
U.S. Apollo 11 lunar mission, Vietnamese public security, and the inauguration ceremony
for South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu.
The PSYOP Guide
The
United States Military Assistance Command Vietnams’ April 1968 PSYOP
Guide serves as a handbook of information to assist users to accomplish
Psychological Operations in the Republic of Vietnam. It sets forth broad
concepts and specific “dos” and “don'ts” which comprise the guidelines for
effective PSYOP. It says about Posters:
Posters are an important component in a multi-media campaign. Development
and preparation of posters usually require a concerted, professional effort.
The Field Development Division of JUSPAO has been instrumental in the
completion of many posters not only excellent as propaganda but in art form
as well.
The
news pictorial, when well-balanced photographically is eye catching and
holds attention well. Artistic presentations, such as those developed for
Tet, have a lasting value in the household. A series of posters presenting
heroes from Vietnamese history was so popular that at least a portion of the
printing run was "diverted" to stalls in town where they sold quite well.
The
PSYOP battalions have prepared and distributed a great many posters for
tactical and strategic purposes. The cautions to be considered are in page
balance, photo or art election, visual flow to capture and maintain
attention, quality lettering, and effective use of color.
The Psychological Operations Guide
The earlier
U.S. Army Pacific December 1965 Psychological Operations Guide had very
little to say about posters:
The ground patrol has been a useful, if limited, method for the
dissemination of small amounts of printed matter to and behind enemy lines.
Posters, leaflets, pamphlets, gifts, and gimmicks may be placed or scattered
by patrols and reconnaissance elements, usually in conjunction with regular
missions. Leaflets, posters, and other propaganda gimmicks can be left
behind during retrograde movements. They may be placed on trees, posted on
buildings, put in bunkers, and distributed on the ground.
The extent of the Allied propaganda effort in Vietnam is told by James William
Gibson in The Perfect War- Technowar in Vietnam, The Atlantic Monthly Press, NY,
1986:
From 1965 through 1972 over fifty billion leaflets were distributed in South and
North Vietnam and along the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos and Cambodia; this vast sum was the
equivalent of more than 1,500 leaflets per person in both the north and the south. In 1969
the military and civilian propaganda apparatuses produced over 10.5 billion leaflets, 4
million pamphlets,60,000 newspaper articles, over 24.5 million posters, and nearly 12
million magazines.
There is also a record of a PSYWAR Bureau. A mention of this organization is found
in Monthly Historical Summary, April 1966 (Declassified) Appendix II, from the Commander,
U. S. Naval Forces Vietnam. There is a long list of operations that were Civic Action or
PSYOP. We can’t tell in most cases which were Vietnamese and which was American, but
in some specific instances the Vietnamese are identified:
The PSYWAR Bureau issued 22,900 magazines, 52,400 posters, and 91,500 leaflets to
Vietnamese and U.S. units for further distribution. In a special project in conjunction
with JUSPAO, the Vietnamese PSYWAR Bureau produced 10,000 special posters depicting the
new Rung Sat Special Zone and Long Tau River security regulations. These were distributed
to the Rung Sat Special Zone and the four surrounding provinces for posting.
The
Field Memorandum Joint U.S. Public Affair Office Field Memorandum Number
42 dated 15 December 1967 mentions “Lessons Learned” about Allied
propaganda. It mentions the use of posters:
Do try to produce posters in
which maximum space is devoted to illustrations, and the text is brief but
printed in large letters. People prefer looking at illustrations to reading
the text, and they tend to ignore the text if it is too long. This would
indicate that an illustration should be as self-explanatory as possible, and
the caption should be capable of being read briefly.
Do place posters in locations
where they are most likely to be read. There are indications from brief
surveys that although people may notice a poster, they seldom take the time
to stop and read it. Thus, posters are more likely to receive exposure if
they are placed in locations where people are likely together, and where
they are likely to have nothing to occupy their time for a brief period,
e.g., bus stops, public transportation depots, outdoor cafés, etc.
Do not arrange the illustrations
in a poster in a haphazard sequence. Plan the order of presentation
logically. Numerous posters have been evaluated in which it appeared that
photographs had been placed on the poster at random, with no attempt to
provide a cohesive message. One illustration should lead logically to
another, and, in general, they should be arranged from left to right (in
discreet rows) in the same way that a text is printed. Since Vietnamese
print proceeds from left to right, just as English does, readers tend to
follow such a progression when examining a poster. Placing a number in front
of the caption which accompanies the illustration also makes it easier for
the reader to know which order to follow when looking at the poster.
Do provide a caption with each
photograph or illustration. The main function of an illustration is to
attract attention and to explain the text or caption. If no caption is
provided with the illustration, the target audience may not understand the
point we are trying to make. When writing the caption, each one should lead
logically to the next caption. This is one of the easiest ways to maintain
cohesion within the poster, and to ensure that a logical sequence of
presentation has been followed. If it is difficult to move from one Captain
to another the sequence probably needs to be changed.
Poster SP-774
This early JUSPAO poster features Nguyen Cao Ky. He is depicted
talking with North Vietnamese refugees who have been forced to temporarily
leave their homes in the South. The poster is 22.5 x 8.25-inches in size.
The text at left is:
A SACRED AND URGENT DUTY
The presence of the Communist refugees in the Republic of Vietnam
Government-controlled areas is a clear proof of the existence of the
National Ideal and Freedom. At the same time, a death sentence for the Red
Imperialism. However, the miserable situation of those compatriots creates
for the Government and people a sacred and urgent duty
General, President of the Central Executive
Committee
Of the Republic of Vietnam: NGUYEN CAO KY
The caption beneath the photograph is:
General, President of the Central Executive Committee of the
Republic of Vietnam, Nguyen Cao Ky talks with compatriots who have been
forced to move from their homes and inspects temporary accommodations
provided for them by the Government.
Poster SP-995
This is a very early poster. We see the code bears a “SP” which means it
was a “Special Project” developed by the Joint U.S. Public Affairs Office. Later
they would remove the “SP” from their code because the Vietnamese would
recognize it as an American product. It was preferred that the people believed their own
government was printing these products. The “995” shows us that the poster was
printed about 1996. The “Red Cross” is prominently displayed and an American
medic is treating Vietnamese civilians. The text is:
When Sick, Come to the Dispensaries and You Will Receive Proper
Medical Care
Poster SP-996
This JUSPAO poster warns the people about the dangers of tuberculosis and actually
depicts the germs and human lungs. The text is:
TUBERCULOSIS
HOW IT IS TRANSMITTED
Caused by bacteria that destroys the lungs
Direct transmission
Coughing – Sneezing – Spitting
Interactive transmission
Do not share objects with the infected
Poster SP-997
This poster has one image in the center and six more in a circle
around it. Once again, the theme is tuberculosis. The descriptions are found
around the poster in a clockwise direction starting at 12:
TUBERCULOSIS
PROPHYLAXIS
Check-up
Plenty of food, drink, and rest
The healthy and sick sleep
separately
Your dishware in boiling water
BCG inoculation
Take an X-Ray
Poster SP-998
This poster bears five images of various ways that diseases can be
transmitted. It depicts a man defecating, an outhouse, food left in the
open, a man gathering bad water and a barrel of foul water.
DISEASES BY FECES: TRANSMISSION
Feces with pathogens
Unsanitary storage and processing of feces
DEFECATION AT WILL
Flies bringing pathogens to food
DRINKING CONTAGIOUS WATER
Drinking from unsanitary sources or containers
Poster SP-999
This leaflet is the first part of a 2-part poster set on the subject of
Diseases by Feces. It depicts an outhouse, covered food, a well, containers
with covers and boiling water.
The text is:
DISEASES BY FECES
Prophylaxis
1. Build and use sanitary outhouses; Cover the food to avoid the
flies.
2. Use pure and clean water for drinking and washing: a
sanitary well; water containers with lids; and boiled water.
Poster SP-1001
This leaflet is the second part of a 2-part poster set on the
subject of Diseases by Feces. It depicts a child eating; piles of debris
with flies, and unclean dishware. The text is:
DISEASES BY FECES
Ways of Transmission
3. Lack of personal and communal hygiene: Dirty hands feeding your
mouth; Indiscriminate littering.
4. Using contaminated food and dishware.
Poster SP-1003
Another JUSPAO poster meant to help the people of Vietnam. This one shows sick and
deceased Vietnamese all infected with cholera. The images are quite striking and pull no
punches. The text is:
CHOLERA
IT’S IMPORTANT
Cholera is very dangerous and highly contagious.
Patients might die within a couple of hours.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Pain in the abdomen and frequent urinating up to 15 or 30 times daily.
Excessive vomiting, thirst, rapid weight loss and a weak pulse.
Poster 1038
This is an early war poster from the files of the Joint U.S. Public Affairs Office.
This would appear to have an “Image of the Government of Vietnam” theme, where
we told the people of the victories of the Vietnamese Army in order to build up their
loyalty and confidence. The images on the front show the ARVN in action, captured weapons,
and Viet Cong who had gone "Chieu Hoi" during the operations and returned to the
government side. The text is:
BRILLIANT VICTORIES INAUGURATING THE YEAR OF THE FIRE HORSE
Beginning the Second Month of the lunar calendar, the ARVN and U.S. forces have
destroyed:
In Quang Ngai, during Operation “Junction 26,” 634 Viet Cong killed on
the spot.
In Binh Dinh, during Operation “Than Phong 11,” 1484 VC killed in
combat.
Our forces have captured countless weapons and important documents.
Each ARVN soldier, effectively supported by a wide array of modern weapons, is
more motivated to pursue and kill the enemy.
These are a small part of the various Viet Cong weapons and ammunition captured
by our forces.
These men, during the operation, returned to the good cause of the country in
order to escape the Viet Cong yoke. They constitute only a small number of the hundreds
who have returned to rebuild their life. They are attending a joyful meal at the Chieu Hoi
Return Center.
Poster 1151
This poster builds loyalty to the Government of Vietnam. The poster
shows various tenant farmers receiving an ownership certificate for the land
they farm.
73 PEASANTS HAVE
BECOME LANDOWNERS/p>
To provide land ownership to poor peasants, the authorities of the
Kien Hoa province have granted certificates of ownership to 73 peasants from
the Ham Long District, making them owners of a total of 111 acres of
fields.
The Granting Ceremony was held at the Tien Thuy market, Ham Long
District, in the morning of 2 April 1966 under the supervision of Lieutenant
Colonel Nguyen Phat Dat, Chief of the Kien Hoa province and a representative
from the Ministry of Agriculture.
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Phat Dat, Chief of the Kien Hoa Province,
presents ownership certificate to a peasant.
Mr. Nguyen Duy Phuoc, Deputy Administrative Chief of the Khanh Hoa
Province presents ownership certificate to a peasant.
A representative of the peasants expresses his sentiment.
THE WHOLE PEOPLE
RESOLVED TO BUILD A NEW SOCIETY.
Poster SP-1257
This poster was designed in and prepared by the Joint U.S. Public Affairs Office to
show that the Americans came to Vietnam to help, and the people should cooperate with
them. Here, a new school has been built. The text is:
THE AMERICANS WHO CAME HERE ARE FRIENDS. COOPERATE WITH THEM!
COOPERATION TO BUILD A BETTER VIETNAM
A representative of the United States Agency for International Development and an
official of the Civil Engineering Office of the Quang Tin province are enjoying a
conversation with small children in front of a new school built for refugees; the old
school having been destroyed by the Viet Cong saboteurs.
The new school has been built jointly be the Provincial administration and the
United States Agency for International Development.
Poster SP-1271
Poster SP-1271 depicts Tran Hung Dao, a legendary
hero of Vietnam. He stands with sword while behind him we see both soldiers
from his own era and the present era marching with the flag of the Republic
of Vietnam. The text is:
FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF TRAN HUNG DAO
All the people unite to fight against Communism to save the nation
The same image and text are found on postcard 1707A.
A smaller version is coded 1707 and a Cambodian language variety is coded
1707B.
A Vietnamese woman walks by the poster
in the streets of My Tho 1969.
A 1967 Army paper entitled Vietnamese
Superstitions mentions this campaign:
PSYOP use of the venerated figure of Tran Hung Dao, victor in 1285 over the
Golden Horde led by Kublai Khan’s Chinese vassal satisfies all requirements.
We know the supernatural qualities with which the heroic figure of Tan Hung
Dao is endowed in the popular mind, and the Government of Vietnam has the
capability of invoking him in patriotic appeals aimed against the invaders
(See JUSPAO poster 1271) which are among the most popular produced in the
PSYOP field to date.
Poster SP-1412
Many of the posters were not quite as big as normal and had a very short message
that was easily read. These seem to be mostly attempts at showing the goodness of American
soldiers and showing them in the best light possible. In this JUSPAO poster an American
soldier gives a Vietnamese child a drink. The text is:
Friendship is a Precious Thing
Poster SP-1413
This poster depicts an American giving a Vietnamese boy a ride of
his shoulders. They are both having fun. This reminds me of images from WWII
where an American soldier might be seen holding an Okinawan child. The
concept of course is that the Americans are not beasts and killers; they are
just plain folks that love children. The text on the poster is:
Both Have the Same Confident
Smile
Poster SP-1442
This would appear to be a nation-building or “Image of the Government of
Vietnam” poster, showing Vietnamese and American military officers together. The text
is:
COOPERATION TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE
In Quang Nam and Quang Tin forces of the Free World have closely cooperated in
protecting the people from the Viet Cong and their masters from the North.
Civilians, Vietnamese and South Korean, as well as American soldiers have a
common determination - to defeat the enemy and to bring about peace.
Poster 1599
This poster bears two photographs. At the top Vietnamese farmers
have bags of rice stolen by the Viet Cong returned. Below, they receive
gifts from the South Korean Marines.
The text is:
South Korean soldiers have helped the Government of the Republic of
Vietnam find the food robbed by the Viet Cong.
South Korean Marine soldiers protect and assist the people.
Having assisted the Government of the Republic of Vietnam liberate
the people from the yoke of Viet Cong, the South Korean soldiers have also
distributed gifts to the poor.
Poster SP-1688
Poster SP-1668 depicts Le Loi, a legendary hero of Vietnam. The text at the
bottom is:
FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF HERO LE LOI
Promote the unyielding spirit of the Vietnamese People in the destruction of
Communism and salvation of the country.
The image and text were also printed as postcards. 1668A depicts Le Loi in
full color. A smaller version is coded 1668B and a Cambodian language
variety is coded 1668C. In addition, there is a 7 x 10-inch handout, all
apparently produced in May 1968.
Poster 1759
This Joint United States Public Affairs reward poster is 10.5 x
7.5-inches, and offers money for information on the Viet Cong, their
weapons, ammo and even their transportation. The text is:
SERVE THE COUNTRY
• People will be rewarded from 50,000 to 1 million Vietnam dong if
they help the Government prevent terrorist activities of the Viet Cong.
• The identity of the compatriots will be kept secret.
• Immediately report to the Police Viet Cong terrorists and
saboteurs as well as places rich in weapons, ammunition, explosives, and
their means of transportation.
• When you hear news, you can contact the Police by:
• Phone
• Report directly to a police official.
• Ask relatives or friends to report to the police.
• Send a letter to the police signed with your own name or keep a
corner of the letter to use as proof of reward later.
STOP VIETNAMESE
TERRORISTS
CONTRIBUTE
BRINGS HAPPINESS AND
SECURITY
Poster 1774
JUSPAO prepared a number of posters showing Nguyen Van Be. 1774, developed February
1967, and measures 17 x 22 inches in size. 50,000 copies of this poster were printed.
There are three photographs on the poster. One shows Be holding a newspaper featuring his
picture (the same photo used on several leaflets), another shows Be in profile and the
third shows a statue of Be. The text is:
HOW COULD SUCH A STRANGE THING HAPPEN?
THE LATE "HERO" NGUYEN VAN BE READS ABOUT HIS OWN DEATH.
For many months, the communist newspapers in both North and South Vietnam have
been telling everyone the fantastic story about the supreme sacrifice of the
“hero” Nguyen Van Be. Communist youth throughout Vietnam have been urged to
emulate him. According to the communist story Be was captured on 30 May 1966 after
fighting like a tiger to defend the arms and ammunition he was helping to transport along
a canal near My An. Supposedly he was later forced to explain how a new mine worked, and
seizing the opportunity he exploded it with his own hands against an armored vehicle. The
communists claimed that be gladly gave his life for the cause and killed 69 Americans and
ARVN troops. A heroic act indeed!
This photograph of a statue built in honor of the “late hero” was
published on the front page of the Hanoi newspaper “Van Nghe” on 6 January 1967.
It is supposed to show Be at the moment he sacrificed his life.
But, read what Mr. Be has to say: “We were convoying ammunition along a
canal in the My An district. When I heard the Government of Vietnam shots, I plunged into
the canal. I was captured after I jumped into the water. I never did any of the things
they say I did. Why would the Front say such things?” Look at this: Here is the
“dead hero” alive and well. He is reading about his own death in the important
Hanoi newspaper “Tien Phong” that carried the fantastic story on the front of
the 7 December 1966 issue. Similar stories were broadcast over Radio Hanoi and Liberation
Radio, and many poems and songs were written about the “late hero” Nguyen Van
Be.
Poster SP-1874
This is a very handsome JUSPAO poster printed 18 April 1967 that touches on
several themes. At the top left you have a brave Vietnamese soldier in the
center right you have a woman voting, and at bottom left you have a
strategic hamlet. 100,000 copies of this poster were printed and distributed
throughout the nation. The text is:
NATIONAL RECONCILIATION
MILITARY VICTORY
The
inexhaustible military resources of the Government of Vietnam and its Free
World allies support the determination of the South Vietnamese people to
defend their freedom. This combination of power and will is steadily driving
the Communist Forces back and has made the triumph of freedom inevitable.
THE BUILDING OF DEMOCRACY
The
South Vietnamese progress toward a government fully responsive to the will
of the people from the hamlet to the national level began with the election
of a Constituent Assembly to produce a Constitution expressing the people’s
aspirations. It continues with elections of hamlet and village officials and
finally national popularly elected leaders to guide our nation in the path
of freedom and social justice.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW LIFE
IN RURAL AREAS
In
hamlet after hamlet, village after village, as the wicked Viet Cong are
driven out and security is restored, the people themselves, with the support
of trained workers and government officials, are building the institutions,
organizations, and facilities needed to transform Vietnamese rural life into
one of prosperity and peace.
Military victories, the building of Democracy, and the construction of the
new life hamlets in rural areas will create the spiritual conditions and the
way of life which will bring home our brothers now in the enemy ranks, and
they will break with the Communist authorities and cadres and come over to
our side, join our forces to rebuild the nation in a spirit of good will and
national reconciliation.
Poster 2077
Poster 2077 was 17 x 22-inches in size and prepared in July of 1967. It was part of
the JUSPAO theme 2 – “Chieu Hoi.” The poster was entitled “Dai Doan
Ket, National Assembly Building.” It depicted a building on top of a number of
blocks, each of which was labeled. The Dai Doan Ket campaign targeted high ranking Viet
Cong and offered them more money, training, and better jobs trying to get the leadership
to defect to the Government of Vietnam.
Social Justice
National Heritage Democratic Harmony
National Community National Concord National Progress
Constitution
Doan Ket to Build the Country
Poster 2105
This Chieu Hoi Poster shows happy Hoi Chanhs who have returned to
the Just Cause of the Government of Vietnam. Under each of the 43
photographs are the name, unit, and place and date that the guerrilla
returned to the fold. The fighters are mostly of low rank; officers and
political commissars coming over were very rare. The text is:
Return to the Nationalist side!
Your future will certainly be
better!
Poster 2107
This small 7 x 10-inch poster was developed in July of 1967 for the school children
of the Republic of Vietnam. 2,000,000 copies were printed in Manila, 500,000 of which were
placed in patriotic school kits. It was also printed as a patriotic song sheet coded 1971
with the flag on front and back and the Vietnamese National Anthem inside.
Poster 2198
This 17 x 22-inch poster was developed in October 1967 to explain the American
presence. It says in part:
WHAT DO THE AMERICANS WANT HERE?
DO THE AMERICANS WANT OUR RICE AND LAND?
America is rich and powerful, and every year grows more food than her people can
eat. She has surplus rice and other grain which she gives to other countries around the
world, including Vietnam. She has no need for our land or food.
DO THE AMERICANS WANT OUR MARKETS FOR THEIR GOODS?
The billions of dollars that America has spent to support our fight against
Communism and to provide things that the people of Vietnam need ? schools, hospitals,
roads, bridges and the like ? could not be repaid from Vietnam’s ecoonomy for many
decades?
DO THE AMERICANS WANT MILITARY BASES IN VIETNAM?
America has many times solemnly reiterated its pledge to remove its troops from
the bases they occupy in Vietnam as soon as our peace and freedom are assured. America has
plenty of bases throughout the Pacific, from Hawaii to the Philippines, to assure its own
security. America does not want or need bases on Vietnam’s land.
THEN WHAT DO THEY WANT HERE?
America’s help to Vietnam, like that of 30 other free nations comes at the
request of the Vietnamese government. They have asked for help to defend their country
against Communist aggression….
Leaflet 2738 mentions American military aid:
The United States Secretary of Defense stated “We intend to give preference
to the ARVN forces, all ARVN forces, even at the expense of our own forces. We will issue
every ARVN an M-16 rifle just as soon as we can.”
Australian Private Ian Botham of their 1st PSYOP Unit prints a poster to be
distributed in the area north of Nui Dat. The poster urged people to stay indoors at
night, and warned children about the dangers of handling old ammunition they may find.
Photo courtesy of the Australian War Memorial.
Poster 2514
Many of the posters prepared by JUSPAO for the South Vietnamese school children
encouraged patriotism and love of country. This very colorful poster is a map of the
Republic of Vietnam showing all the provinces, the province capital, and the products
found in that province. The poster was printed in May of 1968 in the size of 10 x 14
inches as 2514A, and as 17 x 22 inches code numbered 2514. 500,000 of the small type
and 100,000 of the large type were printed. The poster was developed in August 1968
to help build a sense of national pride and national unity rather than regional unity.
Poster 2531
This April 1968 7th PSYOP Group poster was designed to show the Vietnamese some
healthy foods that had vitamins and minerals that could keep them strong and healthy. I
will translate the title and bottom text first, and then the foods in no particular order:
PROTECTIVE FOODS
Try to eat some of these foods each day to protect your body and make you grow.
Lemons, tomatoes, carrots, Sauces, greens, mango, cabbage, bino weed, pumpkin,
pineapple, papaya, bitter gourd, orange, grapefruit, Chinese cabbage, beans and banana.
Poster 2532
The United States constantly tried to improve the health of their Vietnam allies.
The 7th PSYOP Group was responsible for the printing and the posters were distributed by
Civil Operations and Revolutionary Development Support (CORDS). In this April 1968 poster
they introduce the Vietnamese to bodybuilding foods. The foods are identified (in no
particular order) as:
Pig, Cow, Shrimp, Eggs, Oyster, Milk, Cheese, Beans, Soy beans, Crab, Chicken,
Fish, Melon seed and Duck
Try to eat some of these foods each day to build a good body
Poster 2533
This is another poster where the United
States tried to raise the health of the Vietnamese people. It depicts
various foods and recommends that the people eat them. The text is:
ENERGY GIVING FOODS
Sugar, Oats, Coconut, Beans, Cashew nuts, Flour, Rice, Butter,
Corn, Sugar cane, Potatoes, Sticky rice, Bread, Noodles, Cassava, Honey,
Meat, and Taro root.
Try
to eat some of these foods each day to be strong, to move, to work
Poster 2534
This is another poster meant to help the Vietnamese by pointing out all the things
that should be washed. It was produced in April 1968 by Civil Operations and Revolutionary
Development Support (CORDS). The title is:
FOR BETTER HEALTH WASH ALL THESE:
Starting from upper left and going around the poster clockwise the items described
are:
Your feeding utensils, Your teeth, Your house, Your hands, Your body, Your
clothes, Your cooking eating utensils, and Your vegetables.
Poster 2535
This April 1968 poster was requested and distributed by CORDS and printed by the 7th
PSYOP Group. It has a nation building theme and tells the people about what the Government
of the Republic of Vietnam is doing for them in the way of health education. The text is:
HEALTH EDUCATION
Home
School
Community
Poster 2553
Looking through some old folders I found three more very colorful leaflets in
support of the South Vietnamese Regional Forces (Ruff Puffs). This one was created in May
1968 and depicts the Vietnamese peacefully working in a New Life Hamlet under the flag of
the Republic of Vietnam. The text is:
ONE OF THE OBJECTIVES OF THE NEW LIFE HAMLETS
The road system is being repaired and improved to be suitable for the activities
of the compatriots.
Poster 2573
This poster was developed in April 1968 in support of the New Life Hamlet with the
theme of the development of farming. We see a woman by a water pump, a man irrigating a
rice crop, a farmer tilling, and what is most interesting is a man with a pump filled with
an unknown spray. Americans would probably assume it was some kind of insecticide, but it
might have been used to support the American spraying of defoliants which were always said
to be harmless. It might have a PSYOP value in the poster to assure the Vietnamese that
the defoliants were safe and helpful to their way of life. The text is:
ONE OBJECTIVE OF THE NEW LIFE HAMLET
The development of farming aims at providing people with the necessary means so
their income and standard of living shall be raised.
Poster 2577
This poster was developed in May 1968 in support of the New Life Hamlet with the
theme of land reform. It depicts people being paid for their crops at the left, and farmer
with a water buffalo at the left and center. The text is:
ONE OBJECTIVE OF THE NEW LIFE HAMLET IS TO INITIATE LAND REFORM
AIMING TOWARD:
Improvement of tenant farmers’ conditions
Logical distribution of lands and fields to accomplish:
FARMERS HAVE MORE LAND TO TILL.
Poster 2583
This May 1968 poster has the theme of eradicating tyrannical and corrupt officials. It
depicts a corrupt official demanding a bribe from a citizen who then informs on him to an
agent of the government. The text is:
ONE OBJECTIVE OF THE NEW LIFE HAMLETS IS
ERADICATING TYRANNICAL AND CORRUPT OFFICIALS
Courageously unmask all corrupt elements in the government to clean up the
village/hamlet administration system.
Poster 2584
This May 1968 poster has the theme of eradicating illiteracy. It depicts a group of
Vietnamese adults in a New Life Hamlet classroom being taught the alphabet. The text is:
ONE OBJECTIVE OF THE NEW LIFE HAMLETS IS
Eradication of illiteracy in order to bring progress and knowledge to
the people
Poster 2585
This poster was developed in May 1968 with the object of combating disease. It was
distributed by the Vietnamese Information Service and American MEDCAP teams. It depicted
various scenes of sanitary habits in the New Life Hamlets: burying waste products; giving
children inoculations against disease; and not using some local shaman prescribing roots
and herbs. The text is:
ONE OBJECTIVE OF THE NEW LIFE HAMLETS IS TO COMBAT DISEASE
To provide guidance in the maintenance of public and family sanitation
To provide facilities to help prevent and cure diseases
To counter superstitious treatment of patients
Poster 2602
This is another poster that features Vietnamese in a New Life Hamlet. This one shows
numerous members of their civilian guard force protecting the hamlet. At the right, a
citizen bangs on an alarm which brings out the Vietnamese like Minutemen to protect their
homes. The text is:
ONE OBJECTIVE OF THE NEW LIFE HAMLETS IS TO ORGANIZE THE PEOPLE TO
ENGAGE IN THE ANTI-COMMUNIST STRUGGLE
Motive the people to organize combat hamlets to maintain security so that people can
build and enjoy their new bright life.
Poster 2902
This is a busy poster with seven photographs and a lot of text. As
a result, I hesitated to add it for a long time. I add it now, but I will
cut back on the text. The theme is the Revolutionary Development Program for
the Montagnards. It was designed for use in Ninh Thuan Province. The
Vietnamese developed the images and text, sent it to JUSPAO for vetting and
improvement if needed, and it was finally printed by the 7th PSYOP Group. It
tells the Montagnard farmers about all the improvements in their province. I
will translate some of the captions going from left to right. I have edited
the text for brevity.
NINH THUAN AND THE REVOLUTIONARY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR THE MONTAGNARDS
At a ceremony, this farmer, one among 40 poor farmers, is happily
receiving a land ownership certificate…
Farming tools such as hoes and shovels are distributed to farmers.
These Scouts and Hung Tam (Brave Heart) Group are on their way to
help needed Montagnard farmers clear their land.
These Scouts are clearing and preparing the land for the
Montagnards.
This VN600,000$ tractor was presented to the farmers on 28 April
1968.
The Province Chief gave a demonstration of the effectiveness and
operation of the tractor.
Everyone is happy to receive the tractor. It represents fulfillment
of their dream of owning a modern farming tool.
Montagnard Visitors
This family of Montagnard’s was visiting a Vietnamese town and
region prefecture and thus the women and men put on shirts. Normally the
women were bare-breasted. Notice all the men are carrying their weapons, a
show of pride and tribal power. This picture was from the estate of
Lieutenant Colonel Orville T. Lowe, presently the collection of Stephen
Lowe.
Author holding Poster 2905
This poster came directly from the files of the Joint US Public Affairs Office. The
image is extremely popular and I have seen it on many leaflets, postcards, handouts and posters
in the Vietnamese, Cambodian and Lao language. It was developed for the 1969 Tet campaign.
It targeted the Viet Cong, their relatives, and the North Vietnamese. It was printed in the
Regional Service Center, Manila. The text is:
HAPPY NEW YEAR – LONGING FOR PEACE
Poster 2615
This poster has an image that is seen on dozens of leaflets. The image is always a bit
different but a Vietnamese farmer or child spots some Viet Cong, or a rocket, or a mine,
and goes to tell the authorities and receives a reward. This June 1968 poster’s
object is to impress on the general population the importance of “identifying the
Communist Infrastructure” – which is a fancy way of saying
“Informing.” The poster is named “Eradicate Underground Communists.”
The image depicts a young boy watching a Viet Cong take a basket of food from a farmer.
The text is:
ONE OBJECTIVE OF THE NEW LIFE HAMLETS IS TO ERADICATE UNDERGROUND
COMMUNISTS
A factor that brings about victory over the Communists is to separate them from the
people through tracking down the Communist grass-roots structure until their complete
destruction.
Poster 2682A
Numerous American leaflets taught the Vietnamese the proper way to deal with garbage.
Poster 2682 and 2682A are entitled “Don’t put garbage here and there.”
Poster 2682 is in Vietnamese, 2682A is in the native Koho language. They both depict
various scenes of garbage elimination. Because this poster had to be brought to the native
tribes, it is recommended that it be distributed by the Vietnamese Information Service,
the various civilian defense groups, and the Armed propaganda Teams who go into the
countryside with songs and dance. The text is:
DON’T PUT THE GARBAGE HERE AND THERE
In order to get rid of flies and mice and avoid sickness
We should bury the garbage - Put it in the container - Or burn it.
Poster 2720
This poster depicts the return of a former Viet Cong who has accepted the Chieu Hoi
(Open Arms) amnesty offer, and other pictures imply that his family has also returned or
at least rejoined him. The Chieu Hoi symbol is at the bottom of the poster. The text is:
MORE THAN 140 VIET CONG CHOSE TO LIVE
Embracing freedom, these returnee brothers were warmly greeted and
conscientiously assisted by the Government of the Republic of Vietnam. Now they are highly
confident in the return policy and being processed for interim settlement at the returnee
center.
Mr. Tran Huy Nho, a Viet Cong platoon leader, has returned.
This 12 year old little boy has returned and now is joyfully talking with a
woman.
Poster 2746
This JUSPAO poster was printed in September 1968 and features U.S. President Lyndon
B. Johnson. The text is:
WE WILL NOT FAIL
WE WILL NOT TIRE
WE WILL NOT RETREAT
On 7 April 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson solemnly promised to help the people
of the Republic of Vietnam to the end. The Government of the Unite States will always
respect this promise to the people of South Vietnam.
I absolutely believe...that the first requirement for the other side to change
its attitude is to do something to show that our position is strong and firm and that we
are determined that we will not abandon our promises regarding the independence and the
national right to self-determination of the South Vietnamese people.
24 October 1964 - U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson
Statement at the Manila Summit
If the negotiating effort is unable to restore peace, peace will come when Hanoi
understands that our resolve will not be altered and that our power is unmatched.
President Johnson's statement
To the American people - 31 March 1968
Poster 2768
This JUSPAO poster was printed in September 1968 in color and features President
Johnson and President Thieu. The text is:
THE UNITED STATES AND THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM RESOLUTELY OPPOSE
COMMUNIST AGGRESSION
At the request of President Nguyen Van Thieu, a meeting between the Presidents of
the United States and Vietnam was held in Honolulu, Hawaii, on 19 and 20 July 1968. During
this meeting the leaders of the two nations discussed important military and political
developments in South Vietnam related to the Paris Conference.
The two Presidents also affirmed their resolute opposition to any aggression
against South Vietnam. In joint policy statements the President of the Republic of Vietnam
emphasized the determination of the Government and people of South Vietnam to defend his
nation and the American President promised that the U.S. would continue to help the
Republic of Vietnam defend its territory.
This official military photograph dated 8 October 1969 depicts a member of an Armed
Propaganda Team placing JUSPAO propaganda poster 2680, “Where is the Truth,” to
a hut in a small hamlet near Phan Thiet in southern II Corps. The faces on the poster are
all former high-ranking VC officers who returned to the government under Chieu Hoi.
Poster 2811
Sometimes defectors or informers who received a large reward for their information
appeared on JUSPAO posters. This 17 x 22-inch October 1968 poster depicts three
photographs and text that says in part:
CAPTURED VC WEAPONS WORTH ONE MILLION PIASTERS REWARD TO
HOI CHANH
Two former Viet Cong recently reported the location of a Communist weapons
factory to the Government of Vietnam and were rewarded 1,000,000 piasters by the officials
of Bac Lieu Province on 19 August 1968. The factory was about 200 kilometers southwest of
Saigon. It contained more than 200 weapons, including a 70 mm cannon, a 105 mm mortar, and
five anti-aircraft machine guns, I addition to more than 10 tons of ammunition and
explosives which were destroyed by the local Government defense forces.
Nguyen Van Ben, former VC Director of the weapons factory, and Nguyen Van Truong,
former VC artillery commander, received the reward after disclosing the hidden Communist
installation to the Government. Both men became disillusioned with the VC because it
failed to achieve promised victories and did not provide them with food and clothing.
Poster 2854
This JUSPAO poster was printed in September 1968 in full color, the size 21 x
33-inches. There are six photographs of civilian and paramilitary forces. The text is:
PEOPLE DEFEND THE NATION
People take charge of defending the rear.
This is a self-defense unit at Tan Tru District, Long An Province.
Mr. Huynh Van Dao, of the Prime Minister’s Office, congratulates a
self-defense unit at Tan Tru that fought to protect the lives and property of the people.
Women participate in medical aid work.
The purpose of the People's Self-Defense force is to mobilize all
the people to destroy the Communist enemy.
Poster 2855
This JUSPAO poster was printed in September 1968. This poster has three larger
photographs. The theme is “The Government of Vietnam Image.” 50,000 copies were
prepared for dissemination all over the country to the civilian population. The text is:
THE GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM HELPS THE PEOPLE IN RECONSTRUCTION
During the Tet attack in Hoc Mon the Viet Cong destroyed this bridge. Government
soldiers repaired the bridge.
Besides destroying the enemy on the battlefield, Government soldiers maintain
roads for the people.
>Reconstruction of Viet Cong damage helps people to resume their normal lives
so that they can enjoy peace and prosperity.
HELP THE GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM TO DEFEAT THE VIET CONG
JOIN YOUR LOCAL SELF-DEFENSE FORCE
REPORT VIET CONG MOVEMENT TO GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
Poster 2857
This poster was printed in green and similar to the one above, certainly from the
same program. It is coded 2857 and depicts armed marching men at the top and what appears
to be a patrol through a village below. The text is:
THE PEOPLE UNITED IN THE DEFENSE OF THE HOMELAND
The goal of the "Civilian Self-Defense" is to rationalize the
mobilization policy, to optimize national resources everywhere so the war is not be
impeded by production stagnation and so that the rear can actively participate in
supporting the front.
It is necessary for all male and female citizens, seniors and youth to
voluntarily participate in the "Civilian Self Defense" program. This duty is not
limited by time.
THE WHOLE POPULATION SHOULD UNITE IN WILL TO DEFEND OUR
JUST CAUSE IN THE POLITICAL STRUGGLE WITH THE ENEMY
Poster 2858
There were a series of three posters that used the term Dai Doan Ket, which
actually was a campaign to get high-ranking Viet Cong to defect through the Chieu Hoi
Program. However, these posters have text involved more in the self-defense than in Viet
Cong coming over to the Government of Vietnam. There were two major civilian self-defense
groups, the RF and PF. Regional Forces and Popular Forces, or “Rough Puffs” and
“PF's” as they were often called, fought a major share of the War in Vietnam at
the rice-roots level. Comprising about 50 percent of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces,
they operated in all the provinces by the end of the war. The men in these first three
posters seem to be just local militia; males older than 16 that were expected to join this
force and stand guard in their local hamlets, patrolling the area. Leaflet 2858 is in blue
and depicts a ceremony with the men in civilian clothes and a second one with the men in
uniform being congratulated by some civilian official. The text is:
THE PEOPLE UNITED IN THE DEFENSE OF THE HOMELAND
The goal of the "Civilian Self-Defense" program is to mobilize the
populace to actively participate in combat.
The people shall defend the rear, produce and support the front.
THE WHOLE POPULATION SHOULD UNITE IN WILL TO DEFEND OUR
JUST CAUSE IN THE POLITICAL STRUGGLE WITH THE ENEMY
Poster 2859
This poster is in a bright red and coded 2859. It depicts an armed group standing at
attention and below they seem to be looking at a home that has been destroyed, perhaps by
the Viet Cong. The text is:
THE PEOPLE UNITED IN THE DEFENSE OF THE HOMELAND
The goal of the "Civilian Self-Defense" program is to support all
aspects of a difficult and protracted war which would allow self-sufficiency,
self-governance and self-determination of our own destiny.
The people organize themselves; the authority provides guidance and support.
EACH CITIZEN SHOULD VOLUNTARILY JOIN AT LEAST ONE POPULAR
SELF-DEFENSE ORGANIZATION
Poster 2860
This poster is in blue and features a Vietnamese family that has been injured in a
Viet Cong rocket attack. The father cares for the wife and a son looks at the camera in
tears. It is a very tragic image. The same poster was also made in the Chinese-language
coded 2860A. The text is:
IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL HAD SUCH SCENES BEEN PREVENTED!
Had someone in possession of knowledge about the Viet Cong unit which launched
their rockets on August 22, 1968 informed the Police, these children would not have been
injured.
The obligation of each citizen, upon acquiring any information on the location or
weapon caches of the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Communists, is to inform the
authorities.
Anyone who provides information on the presence of Communists, as well as on
their rocket launch sites, shall be awarded from 50 thousand to one million dong. The
names of the informants shall remain confidential.
Do inform any Police office or call the phone number 17 (Police
emergency number).
OR
Inform any military organization.
YOU ARE A CITIZEN OF THE FREE SOUTH. YOU CAN HELP
STOP THIS ABSURD AND VIOLENT LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY.
Poster 2812
This large leaflet (22 x 17 inches) pink-purple poster has six photographs on the
front, all of which show injured Vietnamese that have been hurt in a Viet Cong attack.
Some show older people; most show children. The text is:
ARE THEY THE ENEMY OF THE VIET CONG?
At dawn on 22 August 1968, the Viet Cong, lackeys of the Northern Communists
launched rockets and fired mortar rounds at the City of Saigon-Cho Lon. No military target
was hit. Instead only innocent women and children were killed in their sleep.
Doctors, nurses, clerks and many other volunteers swiftly commenced the rescue of
injured victims and the burial of the unfortunate dead. The funeral services for the
victims were no less difficult as they were women and children.
HOW DOES THE VIET CONG, LACKEYS OF THE NORTHERN COMMUNISTS,
EXPLAIN THIS CRUEL ACTION?
Poster 2853
Poster 2853 is full-colored and large at 21 x 33-inches. It has six photographs of
daily life in Vietnam; hamlets, houses, bridges and oxen. The text is:
THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM GOVERNMENT ASSISTS THE PEOPLE IN
RECONSTRUCTION WORKS
The recent Viet Cong attacks in the Hoc Mon County in Gia Dinh province. Many
schools, houses and people's properties were destroyed or damaged.
The government helped reconstruct the Administration office of the Trung My Tay
ward in Hoc Mon County.
The Government also helped the people rebuild an orphanage in the Tan Thoi Hiep
ward in Hoc Mon County, Gia Dinh province.
Many houses, schools, and orphanages were rebuilt with assistance by the
Government.
This bridge was destroyed by the Viet Cong. The Army of Vietnam has repaired it
and is protecting it.
Thanks to the efforts by the Government, the people's life was restored to normal
and their movement facilitated.
LET'S COOPERATE WITH THE GOVERNMENT IN ELIMINATING THE ENEMY
JOIN THE PEOPLE'S SELF-DEFENSE FORCE
IMMEDIATELY INFORM THE AUTHORITIES ABOUT ANY PRESENCE OF THE
VIET CONG
We know that there were at least four
posters with the title “THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM GOVERNMENT ASSISTS THE
PEOPLE IN RECONSTRUCTION WORKS” since we know that Poster 2898 was the 4th
poster in the series. I do not have a copy of that poster, but I do have the
translation sheets that indicate that the images must be of a terrorist
attack on Saigon. 10,000 copies of the poster were distributed by the Saigon
Central Advisors Group. The text is:
This sabotage was created by the Communists in Saigon because of
their rocket attacks. The South Vietnamese people realize the criminal
nature of the acts committed by the Communists to destroy and kill innocent
people.
The government and the armed forces of the Republic of Vietnam give
assistance to the people to rebuild areas destroyed by the Communists.
Let us cooperate with the Government to exterminate the enemy.
Let us join the Civil Defense Forces.
Let us inform Government authorities whenever the Communists
appear.
Poster 2092
This October 1989 poster had the theme of “The Government of Vietnam Image.”
The images show the people that the Government cares for them and is seeking to make their
life better. And, it is not only the local farmers; the Montagnard people are also
honored. The text on the poster is long so I will only translate some of it:
NINH THUAN AND THE REVOLUTIONARY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
FOR THE MATAGNARDS
At a ceremony, this farmer, one among 40 poor farmers, happily receives a land
ownership certificate from a representative of the Ninh Thuan Province Chief.
Farming tools such as hoes and shovels are distributed to the Farmers.
As a part of the local Revolutionary Development Program, these Scouts are clearing
and preparing land for the Montagnards.
This $600,000 dong tractor was presented to the farmers of Ba Rau Hamlet on 28
August 1968.
Poster 2876
This October 1968 poster uses the theme, “The Communist pirates destroy, the
Government of Vietnam builds.” 1,000 copies of the poster were printed for use in
Ninh Thuan Province. Some of the text is:
THE COMMUNIST PIRATES DESTROY
My An Hamlet office was destroyed by the Viet Cong and is now a ruin.
The house of a civilian resident in Le Loi Street, Phan Rang, that was partially
blown up by a Viet Cong mine.
THE GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM BUILDS
One of the Dispensary/Maternity building constructed by Nihn Thuan authorities in
hamlets to take care of the people in rural area when sickness occurs and to take care of
expectant mothers....
Leaflet 2904
Poster 2904 is very large at 21 x 33-inches and depicts a Vietnamese mother and
daughter during the Tet holiday. Children set off fireworks, and at the lower right there
is a January 1969 calendar and at the lower left is a Chieu Hoi symbol. The official title
of the poster is “Tet Poster Number 1, 1969.” The poster was designed by JUSPAO
and printed at the regional Service Center in Manila. The text is:
HAPPY NEW YEAR – LONGING FOR PEACE
There was also a postcard coded 2904B produced in January 1969 along with a poster. It
targets Viet Cong relatives and sympathizers. It was printed in Manila by request of the
Joint United States Public Affairs Office. It was a one-time item and unavailable for
re-order.
Poster 2905 is also very large at 21 x 33-inches but the image has been changed to a
woman and daughter in a quiet country scene. The Chieu Hoi symbol at the lower left has
been changed to propaganda slogan Democracy, People's Harmony, People's Progress,
and at the right a calendar of February 1969 has been added. The official title of the
poster is “Tet Poster Number 2, 1969.”
Poster 2956
This poster was developed in November 1968. It is number 2 in the series “Chieu
Hoi / Dai Doan Ket.” The poster was designed by the Vietnamese in Long An Province
and forwarded to the Joint U.S, Public Affairs Office for approval. It was sent to the 7th
PSYOP Group where 5,000 copies were printed to be distributed by the Vietnamese. The text
says in part:
THE ROAD TO LIFE
After reading about the Chieu Hoi program, Nguyen Van Ngu of D366 Company, 20/2
regiment, North Vietnamese Army, rallied to the Army of Vietnam unit at Rach Kien
District, Long An Province. His decision to rally was made seven months after he received
his orders in North Vietnam to infiltrate into South Vietnam.
Captions:
Mr. Ngu considers the possibility of rallying to the Government of Vietnam.
When he rallied, Mr. Ngu brought with him one AK-47 rifle and later led the ARVN
unit at Phuoc Van and Long Cang village in Rach Kien on an operation which resulted in 58
Viet Cong killed and the capture of four 60 mm machineguns, one 12.7 mm
anti-aircraft gun, two SKZ rifles and 19 AK-47s. He was rewarded with $436000 VN for his
efforts by the Province Chief of Long An.
Mr. Ngu tells Vietnamese officials the situation in North Vietnam and his reasons
for rallying….
Poster 2957
This November 1968 7th PSYOP Group poster has the theme of the People’s Self
Defense Force in Quang Tri. 5,000 posters were printed to be distributed by the Vietnam
Information Service, the Armed Propaganda teams and the Regional Forces in Vietnam. The
text is:
THE QUANG TRI SELF-DEFENSE PROGRAM IS UNDERGOING RAPID DEVELOPMENT
Colonel Nguyen Am, Province Chief of Quang Tri, and Mr. Nguyen Van Diep, Deputy
Province Chief, are talking to the Self-Defense members during the closing ceremony which
ended the training course held at the Provincial Sports Club.
The Self-Defense members swearing faithfulness to the Nation.
The Self-Defense members participating with other citizens in road repair and
hygienic work.
The Member of the Self-Defense assisting citizens in the villages and hamlets by
helping to dig canals and wells.
THE QUANG TRI SELF-DEFENSE GROUP IS DETERMINED TO BUILD THEIR HOMES
AND DEFY THE COMMUNIST AGGRESSORS
Poster 2960
This 7th PSYOP Group poster dated May 1968 features the People’s Self-Defense
Movement in Phu Yen. The theme is “the Government of Vietnam image.” It targets
the relatives of the Viet Cong and their sympathizers. The Vietnamese took the pictures
and wrote the text; JUSPAO did the layout and the 7th PSYOP Group did the printing. 3,000
copies of this poster were printed. The pictures show the Self-Defense forces training and
at ceremonies. The text is:
THE PEOPLE’S SELF-DEFENSE MOVEMENT IN PHU YEN
The Major General, the II Combat Tactical Zone Commander talks to all classes of
people.
The Major General, the II Combat Tactical Zone Commander awards the Civilian Service
Medal to a hero of the People’s Self Defense.
The Major General, the II Combat Tactical Zone Commander presents good conduct
medals to four heroes of the People’s Self Defense.
Colonel Nguyen Van Ba reports on the progress of the of the People’s Self
Defense units in Phu Yen Province.
A People’s Self Defense Unit from Hieu Xong District.
A demonstration of the training of the of the People’s Self Defense.
Poster 2972
5000 copies of this November 1968 7th PSYOP Group poster tell of the reconstruction and
development in the Combat Tactical Zone II. It was requested by the Vietnam Information
Service and the local Red Cross. The captions of the four photographs are:
RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT IN REGION II
President Nguyen Van Thieu presents fishing supplies and equipment to fisherman
Nguyen Dien in Dong Tan Hamlet, Hieu Xuong District, Phu Yen Province. President Thieu
visited the hamlet when the fish hatchery was dedicated. At the right is Lieutenant
Colonel Nguyen Van Ba, Phu Yen Provincial Chief.
The Nha Trang 4-H Club, cooperating with the Agricultural Service Chief, Khanh Hoa
Province, harvests IR-8 rice which they planted in experimental plots. The IR-8 yielded up
to four time more than ordinary strains of rice. The products of the experimental crops
were given to the poor.
Member of the Red Cross Society, Kontum Province, provided immediate assistance for
victims of the North Vietnamese Army rocket attack which destroyed several homes on the
outskirts of Kontum City in September.
Residents of Tu Tam Hamlet, Thanh Hai District, Ninh Thuan Province, assemble road
culverts to be used in the hamlet self-defense improvement project.
Poster 2975
This November 1968 7th PSYOP Group poster talks about the commendable officials of Tan
Uyen. The text is:
TAN UYEN DISTRICT LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND THEIR TASKS TO SERVE THE
PEOPLE
The Government of Vietnam cadre work shoulder to shoulder with the people on a road
repair project. Aiming at domestic animal husbandry development in rural areas, the local
authorities have stimulated the people to expand cattle breeding.
A piggery being constructed from prepared plans.
Short-term training courses have been organized aimed at teaching the people about
preventive measures and therapy for the cure of cattle disease. Animal husbandry cadres
teach people about vaccinations against a poultry epidemic disease.
The people’s health is the concern of the Government of Vietnam. There are
mobile U.S. MEDCAP and Civil Affairs teams which continually enter hamlets and villages to
care for the People’s health, in addition to local medical organizations.
THE ARMY AND THE PEOPLE ARE UNITED TO DESTROY THE COMMUNISTS AND TO
BUILD OUR NATION
Poster 2976
This November 1968 poster honors the Self Defense Force of Vinh Binh. It is interesting
because it is in Vietnamese and Cambodian. That is an oddity but implies this province had
a Cambodian population as well as Vietnamese. The pictures and text came from the
Vietnamese and was forwarded to JUSPAO from where it was sent to the 7th PSYOP Group for
printing. It was to be distributed by the Vietnamese in Vinh Binh Province. The text is:
THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY FOR THE SELF-DEFENSE FORCES IN
VINH BINH PROVINCE
The people participate in the ceremony at Phu Vinh soccer field.
Mr. Le Van Khoai, a representative of the Secretary of the Interior, presents a
symbolic weapon to a Self-Defense member. Note: It looks like the old M-1 carbine that
I was issued in the 1950s.
Over 4,000 civil servants and citizens are taking part in the swearing-in ceremony
for the Self-Defense Forces of Vinh Binh.
Self-Defense forces of civil servants, people and students passing in review.
The Girl’s Self-Defense groups will stand at the side of the Men’s group
while protecting their areas and villages.
The Self-Defense groups also include platoons on firemen and ambulance crews who
will work with the civil servants and people’s units.
Poster 2981
This is a rather unattractive poster with far too much text to translate all, but it is
important because it shows how popular and important the Chieu Hoi program was. It was
developed in November of 1968 and was designed by the Vietnam Chieu Hoi Ministry. It was
forwarded to JUSPAO and then to the 7th PSYOP Group for printing. It was distributed
through all of Vietnam to tell the people about the available rewards for ralliers. A very
brief look at some of text is:
ACCELERATED PACIFICATION EFFORT
The objective of this poster is to invite all the citizens of Vietnam to participate
in a special program for the inducement of ralliers, and to give cash awards to all such
citizens who successfully persuade enemy military or civilian personnel to rally under the
Chieu Hoi program…Cash awards are provided as an inducement. The amount of money paid
depends on the level of the Communist rallier. For example, $250,000 VN will be paid for
the commander of a military region; for an ordinary member of a guerrilla unit the amount
is $3,000 VN.
The poster explains other categories, such as the people who will be paid rewards, and
collective inducements for three-man cells, platoons and battalions. In the case of
multiple ralliers, the individual who caused the rally will receive a single award for the
unit and individual awards for each member amounting to some percentage of the total. The
bonuses go from 20% to 60%. Civilians, police, and even NVA and VC will be paid rewards.
The rewards will be paid within three days.
Poster 3001
This 7th PSYOP Group Chieu Hoi Poster was developed in November 1968. The poster
depicts the Chieu Hoi symbol in full color. The poster was prepared by JUSPAO and printed
as a cash inducement for those that convince enemy troops to go Chieu Hoi from 1 November
1968 thru 31 January 1969. The text is:
BE REWARDED BY YOUR GOVERNMENT
The Government of Vietnam offers its open arms to those who return to its just
cause. To be sure that as many as those eligible receive the life giving Chieu Hoi
message, The Special Chieu Hoi Nationwide Rewards Program will give cash award to all
citizens of Vietnam who successfully persuade Communist military or civilian personnel to
rally during the period 1 November 1968 thru 31 January 1969. Take the Chieu Hoi message
to your erring brother today.
BE REWARDED BY YOUR GOVERNMENT
Poster 8A-55-69
The front of this poster is without text and just features the
symbol of the Chieu Hoi Organization in bright red
and the handwritten message written by the finder, “Vietnam Peace
Leaflet 1970.” The back has the same
symbol but in a fainter red color with a title and three paragraphs of text.
The code number is 8A-55-69, which indicates this was the 55th product
printed by the 8th PSYOP Battalion in 1969. The size of the poster is 10.5 x
16-inches in size. The poster offers rewards for those who talk enemy
soldiers to come over to the National Cause. Many leaflets were prepared
using what they called a “third-party inducement” where the person talking a
guerrilla to rally was rewarded as well as the guerrilla. The text is:
Dear Compatriots,
The emulation program for appealing to Communist servicemen to
return announced by the Government of the Republic of Vietnam has now been
extended indefinitely.
Anyone who succeeded in appealing to Communist servicemen to return
will be adequately rewarded with cash.
We wish you to warmly support this program in order to save the
misled citizens who joined the Viet Cong from unjust death and to
participate in the collective effort of our Nation to shorten the war and
restore the peace for our beloved country.
Poster 3088
This January 1969 poster is entitled “Elections build Democracy.” JUSPAO
prepared this poster at the request of the Vietnam Ministry of Information. 100,000 copies
were printed. The image depicts a woman holding a child while voting. The text is:
VOTE TO BUILD DEMOCRACY
All go to cast the Ballots, Follow the right procedure, Elect the
right person.
POSTER 3142
This March 1969 poster tells of the failure of the 1969 Viet Cong spring offensive.
JUSPAO printed 50,000 copies to advertise the success of ARVN troops. The image depicts
scenes of dead Viet Cong and captured weapons. The text is:
ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE COMMUNIST NORTH VIETNAMESE ARMY AND
VIET CONG SPRING OFFENSIVE THAT FAILED
The latest Communist offensive which, as usual, included indiscriminate attacks on
civilians in hamlets, villages and cities, resulted in their usual defeat.
Communist North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong attacks on Tan Hiep hamlet in Bien Hoa
Province on 26 February 1969 destroyed all the buildings, scattered the inhabitants and
called down on the Communists the counter-fire of ARVN batteries. The ARVN killed 320 of
the Communist North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong and captured the remaining 75 who
surrendered on the battlefield.
POSTER 3167
This very large April 1969 poster tells of the new wealth created in Phouc Tinh
Village. Five photographs depict the activity in the village. The text is:
PHUOC TINH PROSPEROUS AND PEACEFUL
Anyone who has visited Phuoc Tinh Village has recognized the fact that the village
has been vastly improved. Poorly constructed homes have been rebuilt into concrete houses
and old buildings replaced by modern style buildings.
About 5,000 fishermen are living there in peace and prosperity now.
Phuoc Tinh is more prosperous now thanks to the development of products from the
sea (endless natural resources) which provide a livelihood for the population of the
entire village.
When 200 boats return with a full load of fish and shrimp, the trading and
weighing, and salting of the fish creates a thriving community.
Although living in a thriving economic state, the fishermen never forget the
Vietnamese citizen’s duty of opposing the Communists, who are the national enemy.
The majority of these fishermen has been formed into a PF and People’s
Self-Defense Corps, and have patrolled, guarded, and prepared ambushes to protect their
village. The night security in the village has been outstanding for over 15 years (5,475
nights).
Poster Photograph - 3181
JUSPAO had the mission of supporting the government of Vietnam and
its leaders. Once Thieu was President JUSPAO prepared many pictures of him
to be given as gifts to important visitors. The May 1969 full-color portrait
is not exactly a poster, but it is big enough to be considered one. The
photograph was given to Korean Officials (during President Thieu’s visit to
the Republic of Korea, other international officials, Prominent visitors to
Vietnam, Vietnamese institutions, and Government agencies. Thieu personally
approved the photograph, and it was then printed in the Regional Service
Center, Manila. The text is:
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
NGUYEN VAN THIEU
The same photograph in black and white was coded 2562 and given to farmers
as part of a campaign to encourage farmers to improve their farming. The
president visited various farms and was photographed planting seeds,
examining new seeds, examining rice, driving a tractor, and distributing
land certificates.
Poster VWE 14-24
This poster uses a very popular
central image of a Viet Cong in the bush questioning his fate as shown by a
large question mark. I have seen that same image on many leaflets. At the
upper left we see the Viet Cong's hidden base (called "Secret Zone" on the
poster) destroyed and in flames. At the upper right we see the family of the
"Guerrilla" longing for him at home. The poster is coded VWE 14-24. That is
not a code I recognize; it could be a Vietnamese POLWAR code. The text is:
The
Secret Zone is in smithereens.
Your family awaits.
What are you still waiting for and
NOT YET RETURNING TO YOUR FAMILY?
I would have said "Secret Base,"
or "Hidden Base," but the writer picked "Secret Zone." They could have said
"War Zone," but the Republic of Vietnam would seldom use that word for a
Viet Cong base, because it has a positive meaning, someone who would be a
fighter for a good cause. The term "Secret Zone" is more neutral, and less
complimentary. Both the North and South Vietnam had long histories of using
entirely different words to describe the same act, depending on who
committed it, to always put a positive light on their own side, while
denigrating the other.
Leaflet SP-1223
As I said above, this leaflet
image was used many times. The above leaflet was printed and disseminated by
the U.S. Joint Public Affairs Office. The theme of course is return to the
just national cause…Chieu Hoi. The text on the front is:
What is the return policy of the Government of the Republic of Vietnam?
How will I be treated as a returnee?
What will the return policy bring to me?
What to do to return to the National Just Cause?
This leaflet was also prepared in black and white as 1223A and
1223B with slightly changed images (with and without Communist star on his
head covering) and same message on the front and back.
Leaflet SP-1534
I include one more leaflet to show just how popular this image was.
Once again, we see the unhappy and meditative Viet Cong sitting and
wondering if he should return to the fight and be killed along with his
comrades or return home to his family and live peacefully. The text is:
Is now not yet the time to come back to your family?
Which of the scenes above will you choose?
The Aerial Leaflet
And by coincidence, I was writing a newsletter as early as 1996
depicting various Vietnam War leaflets along with translations. I might have
been the first person to start such a regular Vietnam PSYOP newsletter.
I Corps Posters
These early
posters were prepared before the PSYOP companies were sent to Vietnam about
1965-1966. They were created by the I CORPS PSYWAR AND CIVIL AFFAIRS CENTER.
Later the 244th PSYOP Company, and then the 7th PSYOP Battalion, would print
leaflets for the I Corps Tactical Zone in the far north of the country.
These posters are very old and have been heavily folded. I did the best job
of squaring them off that I could. Two have codes, two do not.
Poster 118-66
This is a
full-sized poster about the victory of Lam Son. In 1971 there was another
major campaign named Lam Som 719. The allied forces took heavy losses during
that second campaign. This is Lam Son 235 in 1966.The text is a bit
different than usual and since this is before the American PSYOP Companies
arrived, this was probably made with the help of the Vietnamese POLWAR
Battalion. Every Zone had a Vietnamese Battalion responsible for Psywar. The
poster has six photographs showing Viet Cong captured equipment, Vietnamese
soldiers receiving military awards and shaking hands, and Viet Cong
prisoners-of war. Some of the text on the poster is:
From 21 to 28
February 1966, the Headquarters of the 1st Division of the XI Tactical Zone
organized two operations, Lam Son 234 and 235. Two enemy regiments were
destroyed in the west of Phong Dien and at the seaside of Trieu Phong and
Hai Lang. These operations were made with the purpose of breaking the enemy
invasion plan of seizing the Delta. The battle was very intense and lasted
one week.
Results
relative to the two battles: Enemy casualties: 480 killed. One entire
regiment was killed and buried secretly. 219 rifles and 28 crew-served
weapons were captured. Those two victories occurred in the XI Tactical Zone
in the beginning of the Binh Ngo (Lunar New Year of the Horse). Those
victories show once again the vigilance and will to fight of our troops and
civilians against the Communists.
The caption
under the capture weapons is:
All Viet Cong
arms, and equipment bore the Red Chinese and Czechoslovakian marks. This
fact proves once more that the Communists are making great efforts to cause
South Vietnam to become a Communist satellite.
The caption
for the Viet Cong prisoners and the troops receiving medals and smiling is:
Above are
three of the twelve prisoners-of-war captured during the 235 Lam Son
operation. If you look closely, you will see these prisoners are very young.
Certainly, they are victims of the crafty Communists of Hanoi.
Emotion and
happiness of the combatants after several days of painful marching.
Poster 199-66
This poster is
all about the Lam Son campaign in 1966. The Vietnamese claim that was a
great victory. There are five photographs on the page. One depicts a victory
meeting, a second depicts a girl placing a garland on a soldier, a third
shows captured VC weapons, a fourth shows a Viet Cong prisoner and the last
shows a dead Viet Cong. I will mention some of the text. The photo captions
first:
A meeting on
the Victory of Lam Son 235 on 3 January 1966.
A victory
garland offered by a schoolgirl to First Lieutenant Bui Quyen of the 8th
Regiment parachute unit considered to be the unit to have achieved the
greatest number of victories to date.
Many Viet Cong
crew-served weapons and individual rifles were seized by our troops. They
were displayed for public admiration.
This is
prisoner-of-war Nguyen Van Hai, 28, a native of Ha Tinh province, soldier of
3rd Company of the 21st Regiment. He was captured by the people when he
tried to escape to the village.
Viet Cong
bodies lying helter-skelter throughout the battlefield. 444 were counted and
others carried away.
Some general
comments:
Results of the
Lam Son 235 Operation.
Enemy
casualties:
444 killed, 12
captured, 68 rifles captured, 16 crew-served weapons, phones, grenades and
ammo.
Our
Casualties:
33 killed, 13
wounded, 2 automatic rifles and 2 pistols lost.
Uncoded I Corps Poster – Helping the People
The 1966
poster bears three photographs, a Vietnamese adult receiving treatment, a
happy little girl with candy and a group of people receiving food from the
Army. The text is:
The Government of Vietnam is helping the people.
Diagnosis for the sick.
Candies for children.
Food for everyday life.
These are the
duties of the national government to the life of the people. The government
provides complete support to the people. So please help and cooperate with
the government to eradicate the Communists.
Uncoded I Corps Poster – Military Payment Certificates
To eliminate
U.S. greenbacks from being collected by North Vietnam and China, it was
illegal for unauthorized personnel to possess MPC. Many local merchants
accepted MPC on par with US dollars, since they could use them on the black
market. This was especially evident during the Vietnam War, when the MPC
program was at its zenith. To prevent MPC from being used as a primary
currency in the host country and destroying the local currency value and
economy, the US frequently changed MPC banknote styles to deter black
marketers and reduce hoarding. A "conversion day" or "C-day" was the
soldiers' only chance to trade in their old MPC for the new issue, after
which the old MPC became worthless. C-days in Vietnam were always
classified, never pre-announced. On a C-day, soldiers would be restricted to
base, preventing them from helping Vietnamese civilians, especially those
associated with local bars and brothels, such as bar girls and other
black-market people, from converting old MPC to the newer version. Since
Vietnamese were not allowed to convert the currency, they frequently lost
all their savings by holding old MPC was worthless after a C-day was
completed.
In fact,
Vietnamese businesses were happy to receive MPC even with the threat of it
being made worthless one day. The 1966 poster was made for the Vietnamese in
Vietnamese language, but by luck I have an English-language version too, so
I will show that instead and save a lot of typing. This is an attempt by the
Mayor of Hue and the province chief to protect their people by warning them
not to take MPC and telling them about the penalties they face if found with
MPC, and finally telling them that at any moment their certificates might be
made worthless by a conversion.
Cultural Posters
The American Trung Sisters Propaganda Poster
Because the Trung sisters were national heroes in Vietnam, they were often placed on
PSYOP leaflets and posters. The Trung Sisters led the first resistance movement against
the occupying Chinese after 247 years of domination. Many temples are dedicated to them
and their death is commemorated each year. A Fifteenth Century poem says about the
sisters:
All the male heroes bowed their heads in submission; only the two sisters proudly
stood up to avenge the country
The text on the poster is:
Oppose the Communists' aggression in defense of our liberties as
descendants of the Hong Lac race.
Do as the two Trung sisters of the Trieu family did.
Note: The sisters renamed their country Hong Lac during their reign.
Poster 8 848 (3)
We know from the code number that this poster was prepared by the Vietnamese. Usually
at the left we will see the American code that was placed on the poster at the same time.
The poster features President Nguyen Van Thieu. After their first President, Ngo Dinh
Diem, was murdered by his generals, there were a number of presidents, none very effective
and the eventual result was the loss of the country to the Communists. President Thieu and
the other Presidents tried hard to win the loyalty of the people, but it seems that none
of them succeeded. The text is:
FROM THE MOMENT I TOOK MY PRESIDENTIAL OATH, I AM YOUR MAN
I solemnly swear to:
Defend the Motherland
Respect the Constitution
Serve the interests of the Country and the People
I need the help of you all
I NEED THE HELP OF YOU ALL
Do you know that all the troops are brothers?
This is a consolidation poster produced by the Vietnamese for their
own troops. It depicts people of all their various military services and
points out that they are brothers forged by the hard training they have
received and the hard times they live in now. The text is:
Do you know that all the troops are brothers?
Deep bonds are only forged by hardship.
A strong army can only be built on tight discipline.
Poster 13-2-6
This is my favorite Viet Nam War poster ever. It was printed by the American 7th
PSYOP Group for use in Cambodia. This large 15.5 x 19.5-inch poster coded 13-2-6 depicts
the Lord Buddha destroying the Communist Khmer Rouge who are depicted as demons. The enemy
is shown with AK-47 rifles, rocket propelled grenades and tanks at the left. On the right
they are sinking into the sea; the tank’s main gun is bent and broken and their
leader is pleading for mercy. Crocodiles and sawfish attack them. Buddha is a God of mercy
and moderation so his depiction in this poster is very strange. From a standpoint of color
and artistic imagination it would be hard to find a more impressive propaganda poster.
Directly beneath the Buddha is the Buddhist Earth Deity, who wrings out her hair, sending
a stream of strong water at the drowning Communists. She is known in Cambodia as Neang
Kanghing Preah Thoranee. She has other names in Arakan, Burma, Thailand, and Laos, but
the names all mean “Lady Earth” or “Mother Earth,” She is the Buddha's
witness at the time of the enlightenment. According to the mythology of Mahayana Buddhism,
the Buddha's spiritual authority derives from the Earth Deity.
Pro-Government Army Poster 12-2-19
We show a poster for Cambodia above. Here is one for Laos. Perhaps the most
impressive Lao poster in my possession is this 1971 large 21 x 29-inch full-color product
printed by the 7th PSYOP Group. A Laotian soldier is seen in the forefront holding his
flag while behind him massed Lao civilian wave their flags. It is a very patriotic scene.
The text is:
21st Celebration of the Formation of the Army 23 March 1971
The nation exists because soldiers and people are together resolved to fight the
enemy.
Army Day expresses the commitment of our brave troops to defend our sovereignty.
The nation endures as the sky and the land because the soldiers and people are
strongly entwined together in the struggle.
Nation, honor, discipline, courage, unity, fortitude and
sacrifice.
The Peoples of Laos…
A second Laotian poster is very similar to the first. It depicts a brave Laotian
soldier being admired by people of several ethnic groups. The text on this poster is:
The peoples of Laos of all ethnic groups give their constant support
to the nation's brave soldiers
Laos Air Force Poster
The poster features the Royal Laotian Air Force. Behind the brave pilot is a North
American T-28 Trojan fighter, a Sikorsky H-34 helicopter and a Douglas C-47 Skytrain cargo
aircraft. The text is:
All the peoples of Laos give their constant support to all units of
the Nation’s brave fighters
The Royal Lao Air Force (RLAF), was the air force component of the Royal Lao Armed
Forces (FAR), the official military of the Royal Lao Government and the Kingdom of Laos
during the Laotian Civil War between 1960 and 1975. During the 1960s, the RLAF came to
carry the weight of the battle against Vietnamese communist invaders and local Pathet Lao
insurgents. Despite its continual drain of heavy pilot and aircraft losses, the RLAF grew
to the point where it flew 30,000 combat sorties annually against its enemies in the years
1970 through 1972, as well performing essential logistics duties.
Laos Alphabet Poster
This poster was obviously used to help students and perhaps adults learn the
alphabet. There is a short poem at the bottom that basically says that all of the people
are Lao and they should work together to help and support each other.
FREEDOM FOR HUMANITY
There was a Communist movement in Thailand though you seldom hear about it today. The
“Dominoes” of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos fell, but Thailand remained free. The
Communist insurgency in Thailand was a guerrilla war lasting from 1965 until 1983, fought
mainly by the Communist Party of Thailand and the government of Thailand. The war declined
in 1980 following the declaration of an amnesty and by 1983 the Communist Party of
Thailand had abandoned the insurgency. The 7th PSYOP Group had positioned the 3rd PSYOP
Detachment in Thailand to coordinate U.S. PSYOP support for that country. The Detachment
coordinated all PSYOP printing requirements with the Military Assistance Advisory Group
Thailand and helped the Thais in the propaganda war by printing posters such as the one
above. The poster above shows a Thai citizen who is tied up and has been beaten by the
Communists. The text is:
FREEDOM FOR HUMANITY
HELP EACH OTHER RESIST COMMUNISM
We should point out that the Military Assistance Command Thailand, February
1966, Psychological Operations Field Handbook for Thailand says about
posters:
Posters, charts, pamphlets, and books can be used to good advantage in rural
psyops operations, provided that their capabilities and their limitations
are clearly understood. Posters, to be effective, should be attractive, and
their message brief. The script used should be the standard script, not an
artistic, fancy adaptation or distortion. The picture on the poster should
be eye-catching, even though there is no evidence that pictures increase a
semi-literate’s ability to understand the message or the written text of a
poster. In some cases, pictures can act to reduce comprehension. However,
whether clearly understood or not, posters you have put up and left behind
in the village will constitute a reminder of your visit, and of the messages
you conveyed through other media. Posters put up and left behind will also
serve as an index of a community's sense of security and of its loyalty. If
subversive elements operate in or near the village, the posters are unlikely
to stay up long after your departure. The speed with which posters are taken
down, or the length of time they stay up, will be a useful indication to you
of the political climate in your area.
COMMUNISM BRINGS DESTRUCTION WHEREVER IT GOES
This poster has a rather simple design. A character that looks a bit like a silhouette
of Mao Tse-tung holds a torch and the entire bottom of the poster is afire. Obviously,
whatever the Communists touch they destroy. The text is:
COMMUNISM BRINGS DESTRUCTION WHEREVER IT GOES
RED DANGER
The third poster depicts a Thai family that has been murdered by the Communists. A baby
has been spared and cries beside its dead family. The text is:
RED DANGER
A UNITED THAILAND
A fourth poster for Thailand has a more patriotic look although I do not quite
understand the image. At the top, Thai troops advance under their flag. At the bottom they
seem to be entering a burning house while a civilian breaks a piece of lumber. The text
mentions Taiwan and that is a bit of a surprise, although the 7th PSYOP Group also had a
small detachment on Taiwan.
A United Thailand
Discourages the Enemy from Taiwan
THAILAND CANNOT RETREAT ANY FURTHER
A fifth poster shows the people on a precipice with no further retreat possible. The
Thai soldiers stand ready to protect them. The text seems to be an appeal to the masses to
stop being complacent and to take a stand against communism. The text is:
Thailand cannot Retreat any Further.
THE STABILITY OF THE COUNTRY IS KEPT BY EVERY THAI PERSON
A final poster depicts a group of Thais raising the flag together. It is a patriotic
theme that implies that the stability of the country is in everyone’s hands. In the
United States we might “United we stand!” The text is:
The Stability of the Country is kept by every Thai Person
An Alphabet Poster
A Modern List of the Japanese Hiragana “Syllabary” for Young
People
The 7th PSYOP Group was headquartered in Okinawa so much of their work was meant to
help the local people of the island. The poster above is a child’s chart for learning
the Japanese Hiragana alphabet. It uses pictures of various items the children
would recognize to help them remember the symbols. Hiragana is the main alphabet or
character set for Japanese. Japanese also consists of two other character sets - Kanji
(Chinese characters), and another alphabet/character set, Katakana, which is mainly
used for foreign words. It is a phonetic lettering system. The word hiragana literally
means "ordinary" or "simple." Author and veteran Dan King pointed out
the symbol He pictured a helicopter, the image of a jet fighter under Hikoki
and that was further proof that this poster was post-WWII. It is undated but we know it
was printed somewhere between 1968 and 1971.
AUSTRALIA
Australia was an ally of the United States in Vietnam. At first, the U.S. Army's 6th
PSYOP Battalion located in Bien Hoa printed leaflets and posters for them, but the
Australians formed their own 1st PSYOP Unit and towards the end of the war printed their
own leaflets and posters. My friend Sergeant Derrill de Heer was a member of that unit and
in his Master’s dissertation Victoria per Mentum: Psychological Operations
Conducted by the Australian Army in Phuoc Tuy Province South Vietnam 1965 – 1971,
he mentioned posters. There are about a half dozen posters printed by the Australians,
some were classified as safety messages and designed to support civic action programs and
a few supported the South Vietnamese government’s Rural Development programs. He said
that any PSYOP unit operating in a third country needs to have locally trained artists for
the production of leaflets, posters and billboards. He thought that cultural experts were
needed; such knowledge of local customs and beliefs should help in guarding against
inadvertent abuses of Vietnamese beliefs such as tacking a PSYOP poster to a venerated
tree. Let’s look at an Australian poster.
Poster ATF-30-70
Derrill de Heer’s Master Dissertation
This poster is called “Illegal Residence” and mentions crops and the benefits
of Chieu Hoi. There are three images and the following text:
ATTENTION PEOPLE IN THIS AREA
In order to rid the people of the communist enemies, the Government of Vietnam has
declared that this area is unauthorized for civilian population. Consequently, the
Government of Vietnam and allies have destroyed those crops which are a potential source
of food for the Communist and Viet Cong forces.
YOU CANNOT STAY HERE ANY LONGER
When you see the Government of Vietnam and allied forces, do not run away. You will
not be harmed if you raise your hands and wave to the soldiers.
You will be given a new life the same as many others from this area. The Government
of Vietnam wants its entire people back and will help you to rebuild a better and safe way
of life.
Return to the Government. Go to the soldiers or to Xuyen Moc. You will be welcomed.
An uncoded Hoi Chanh poster featuring Trinh Van Tam
The best Chieu Hoi items are Hoi Chanh testimonials. They should
have good picture, the name, and the unit of the defector. The 12 3/4 X 19
1/2-inch poster we show here meets most of those criteria. The text is:
To My Friends:
Nam Xe
Sau Sieng
Ba Nhan
Hai Bi
Ut, also known as Muoi Loi
Si, from the Binh Phuoc Village Party Chapter
Dear friends,
When you see this photo you will recognize me, Trinh Van Tam, alias
Hai Phuoc, and you will no longer have any reason to doubt that I have
deserted the ranks of the National Liberation Front and have returned to our
Nation's just cause.
Truthfully, during my many long years with the Viet Cong I never
saw anything that could be called Liberation or Revolution. I want you all to think about this
- What have you all been doing all
those long days and nights? Haven't you been collecting money and rice? Haven't you been digging up
roads, destroying bridges, and filling in harbors to block traffic and make
the lives of the people miserable?
Do you think those actions have done anything to benefit our
Fatherland or our compatriots?
You have endured misery and hardships night and day, you have put
your lives in danger on the battlefield, you have not gotten enough to eat,
your clothes are ragged and torn, you have no medicines, and you are living
lonely lives out in the wilderness, far from your parents, your wives, your
children, your relatives, and your friends, all of whom now look at you with
eyes full of fear and with feelings of pain. What crimes have these people
committed that we should capture, detain, and kill them unjustly?
Now, more than ever, as your friend, I sincerely appeal to your
intellect and to the love that is inside you so that you will take advantage
of the Government's Chieu Hoi Program.
Do not worry or be hesitant.
When you come forward to rally, the Government and the people will
greet you warmly, just like they greeted me. And you will be treated even
better if you bring weapons or documents with you.
I hope that these short lines will reach you and I sincerely urge
you to think about what I have said and to decide to rally.
The Government is waiting to receive those who have seen the error of
their ways.
I send you my best wishes,
TRINH VAN TAM
An Uncoded Poster depicting Philippine Support for
Vietnam
Poster depicting Philippine support for Vietnam
This poster was allegedly produced by
the Joint U.S. Public Affairs Office to show the Philippine support for
Vietnam but bears no code number. It does have a number 4 at top left so
that implies this was part of a series. We know that JUSPAO printed a series
of leaflets for Vietnam showing all the various nations that supported them,
so this poster series could be just about the Philippines or could show
several other nations that also supported the Republic of Vietnam. The U.S.
National Archives says it was printed in 1973. On
29 March 1973, the Last American troops left Vietnam so if the data is
correct this poster was produced very late in the war.
Curiously, the large picture in the middle of this poster is also
found on a JUSPAO leaflet coded Leaflet 2714. The back side of leaflet
depicts Philippine politicians and medical personal. The title is:
HERE THE SUPPORT OF THE WORLD FOR THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
The leaflet was also dropped over the Ho Chi Minh Trail with the
code number 2714T.
The National Liberation Front Posters
Say no to this war!
The Viet Cong sometimes placed large posters where they could be seen by American
servicemen. The Viet Cong did not have aircraft and were unable to drop leaflets on
Americans so their best means of disseminating propaganda was the face-to-face message,
leaflets left along trails and posters wherever they could be hung. The poster above was
found in February 1968 by United States Marines Lance-Corporal John Fedyszn, a
forward-observer radioman from C Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marines, of the 3rd Marine
Division. He was on a “search and destroy” patrol during Operation Dye Marker.
The poster was found along the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between combat base Alpha 3 and
the combat base at Con Thien. This was a free-fire zone where anyone seen in the bush was
presumed to be either Viet Cong or North Vietnamese regulars. The full-color poster
depicts an American soldier throwing away his M-14 rifle. Text at the left is:
Say no to this war! Go home now alive!
The Entire People…
This 10 x 13-inch poster depicts the Vietnamese people throwing out the Americans
and President Diem. Some of the fleeing people are President Diem who holds a bag of
dollars and is carrying American president Lyndon Johnson on his back. Johnson wears a
backpack loaded with bombs. General Maxwell Taylor is also fleeing toward a ship labelled
“Seventh Fleet.” Some of the text on the poster is:
The entire people are determined to smash the plot to invade the
south of Vietnam by the American Imperialists and their fellow invaders of the Southeast
Asian bloc.
Some of the banners held by the people say:
Ngo Dinh Diem – beat it
American imperialism – go away
Down with the American Imperialists and the invaders’ Southeast Asia bloc
The Guns are American…
I often tell people that the Viet Cong had very little opportunity to use fine paper, a
real printing press, or art and color in their propaganda made in the field. The next two
items are from the files of the Joint U.S. Public Affairs Office. They are on plain paper
and handwritten, and appear to be written by the same person. The first was filed with the
number VCS 534 and filed in December 1965. The text is:
The guns are American but the soul is yours; it's your father, your mother, it's
your relatives by blood, do you still want to kill them? Are the pennies you earn each
month worth selling your body on the battlefield as targets?
Workers, Peasants and Soldiers…
The second poster is coded 535 and also found in December 1965 so I assume they were
captured in the same operation. The text on this one is:
Workers, peasants and soldiers united in resisting the American terror. Soldiers,
brothers, don't arrest your compatriots. What's their crime? In combat, if you shoot, an
innocent will be unjustly killed!
Results of the First 10 Days…
This is another Viet Cong poster from the JUSPAO files. It was filed with the code VCS
556. At the left there are various patriotic scenes showing Viet Cong fighters and a
surrendering American soldier and at the right, all text. The translator wrote the English
version of the message right on the leaflet and it is rather cluttered. Some of the more
pertinent statements are:
RESULTS OF THE FIRST 10 DAYS FROM NOVEMBER 1963 OBTAINED BY THE
PEOPLE AND ARMY IN KIEN TUONG
Then there are a series of 13 Viet Cong attacks and victories. I quote several:
Completely destroyed 2 forts.
Eliminated 141 enemies to include 1 Captain, 2 1st Lieutenants, 1 2nd Lieutenant,
and 1 NCO.
Completely liberated 1 village.
Destroyed 100 meters of road on Highway 12.
The poster ends:
BE READY TO JOIN THE PATRIOTIC BATTLE AGAINST THE AMERICANS
Kien Tuong Information Office 4000 copies Published by Don Thap 20
November 1963
We Liberation Army soldiers…
This poster is on a cheap wrapping paper, crudely hand-written, and at the top a
stick has been placed through the paper and a string which allows it to be hung from a
nail or a branch. His was found in Long Xuyen, An Giang province, on 13 November 1963.
When handed over to Intelligence it was archived as VCS 476. It is hard to translate but
seems to say:
We Liberation Army soldiers earnestly appeal to all Combat Youth, ward chiefs,
hamlet chiefs, ward and strategic hamlet personnel, officers of the Surete, policemen,
government personnel, and officers and soldiers of the US puppet government in Long Xuyen
City to quickly return to the arms of the people and to never again work for the enemy.
In the future, if you work as an enemy lackey, arresting people, forcibly
drafting youths into the army, and stealing money from the people, we will absolutely not
be able to guarantee the safety of your lives and property.
Because this was such an early leaflet we see terms like “Combat Youth”
and “Surete,” organizations that would have existed during the reign of Ngo Dinh
Diem.
A Vietnam vet told me he had seen similar posters hanging from trees:
Warning notes to enemy comrades were found by soldiers of the 2/7th Cavalry
hanging on branches along enemy trails in War Zone D in 1970-71. They were warning others
that Americans were in the area.
This is just a very short look at American and National Liberation Front posters
used in Vietnam in my collection.
Readers who have similar posters they would like added to this article or who care
to comment are encouraged to write to the author at sgmbert@hotmail.com
