Vietnam War Propaganda
Posted on Feb 9, 2021 (last modified Jun 11, 2021)
War propaganda leaflets collected by William Taylor (Charlie Co., First Battalion, 3rd Marines) and brought home from his 1967 tour of duty in Vietnam.
Descriptions (approximate translations) were provided by a South Vietnamese woman ("William's source") who left Vietnam and came to America with her mother and father when she was fourteen years old and when The U.S. pulled out of the war. She said that her grandfather, who stayed in South Vietnam, told her many stories about his experiences during and after the war. Her claims to the truthfulness of the propaganda, according to her, are based primarily on what she learned from her grandfather's stories.
Viet Cong propaganda stating that many South Vietnam fighters are dying at a greater rate than Viet Cong are dying. The first column is the date and the second column is the number of Viet Cong deaths. The third column is the number of deaths and the number captured of South Vietnam fighters (the higher numbers are deaths). This was all untrue according to William's source.
Viet Cong propaganda stating what the Viet Cong would pay for items stolen from American and South Vietnamese troops. The amount on the right represents the amount of North Vietnamese dollars (dong) they would pay. Again, this was untrue according to William's source; she said that anybody who turned in anything to the Viet Cong would be seriously interrogated.
South Vietnamese Army propaganda telling the Viet Cong that they can surrender to three different boats in the water and that they will be taken care of once they surrender. William's source was told that, in spite of this promise, they would still very likely be tortured by our allies in the South Vietnamese Army.
South Vietnamese Army leaflet informing farmers that if they see this helicopter with the red cross, it is for taking people to the hospital. "If they need to go to the hospital, they can take you there."
Viet Cong propaganda to the farmer. The illustration at left depicts a farmer angry that someone killed his cow. The second illustration depicts how awful the Americans are and encourages, "Let's unite against them." It promises also that they will help pay for the cow. According to William's source, they would not actually help pay for the cow; they would not help pay for anything.
A leaflet stating that "China is helping us fight Americans and even in America, Americans are carrying the Chinese flag with us."
The Chiêu Hồi Program was an initiative by the South Vietnamese to encourage defection by the Viet Cong and their supporters to the side of the government. Leaflets were delivered by artillery shell or dropped over enemy-controlled areas by aircraft. This literature encourages the Viet Cong and/or the VC supporter to become a friend to the South Vietnamese people and to come out of hiding.
South Vietnamese Safe-Conduct Pass stating that if a Viet Cong or farmer has one of these and wants to come and trade sides in the war, they would be given a free pass to defect to the other side. William's source was told that they would usually still be beaten.
Either another South Vietnamese Safe-Conduct Pass or back side of the one shown above.
North Vietnam and Viet Cong leaflet urging farmers in the south to welcome home with open arms, their sons and daughters who fight.
Viet Cong propaganda stating that the Viet Cong will pay an amount of money listed for the various listed weapons (which they never actually paid, according to William's source).
North Vietnamese and Viet Cong leaflet discouraging the people from giving any aid, in any way, to the American invaders.
Mother with baby waiting for her husband to come home from the war. It is believed that the message, whether implied or stated on back, is that "He will be home soon."
"Viet Cong coming home, he may be brother or son, welcome him back. Bring the whole family to meet him."
North Vietnamese propaganda stating that these 28 men who were South Vietnamese Soldiers are now free because of TET New Year, using an exchange program with the South. "These are the 28 men released by North Vietnam."
North Vietnamese propaganda found in the DMZ.
North Vietnamese propaganda found in the DMZ.
North Vietnamese propaganda found in the DMZ.
Message, or implied message, unknown.
Typical Vietnamese family. Message, or implied message, unknown.
