The Tree Wants to be Still, but the Wind Won't Let It

INTRODUCTION

The tree wants to be still
But the wind won't let it.
The west wind is over there
The east wind is over here.
And the tree is in the middle

During my military service (U.S. Marines, 1968-70), I had several opportunities to acquire various pieces of 'second' Indochina war era propaganda literature. Intended to publicize and promote certain proposals, these written materials could be as simple as a single wallet-sized card or leaflet, and as in-depth as a multipaged manifesto. Both Allied and Communist forces went to great lengths to utilize this element of psychological warfare (PSYWAR).

I served in an infantry unit, 'L' Co., 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division (3rd BN, 7th Mar, 1st Mar Div) in the I Corps Tactical Zone (ICTZc-pronounced 'eye-corp') of South VietNam. From north to south, this area began at the 17th parallel-the 1954 demarcation line dividing VietNam into north and south regions-and encompassed the south's five northernmost provinces, over 10,000 square miles.

Wherever, it was commonplace to stumble across propaganda literature from one side or the other of this conflict. Each piece was either anti or pro some ideology or action. At times the material might contain pro elements for a cause, while expressing the negative aspects of the other side's interests regarding the same topic.

I also collected some propaganda literature at my next duty station in Hawaii. My job there was to microfilm an array of documents, messages, reports and citations coming out of VietNam. After developing the film and properly storing the cassettes, I was to dispose of only those materials which had been declassified. Interested, I kept a few out of a sense of history.

These documents can provide an insight into one prevalent tactic involved in the overall attempt to psychologically influence thought and behavior. As a main instrument of PSYWAR, propaganda is as old as history.

Propaganda is defined as any form of communication in support of a national objective, designed to influence the opinions, emotions, attitudes or behavior of any group in order to benefit the sponsor, either directly or indirectly. Propaganda information intends to communicate and persuade.

Basically, there are three categories of propaganda. 'White' propaganda is generally true or correct information and its association. 'Gray' propaganda can be accurate or misleading information from a true or disguised source. Generally speaking, something in these 'gray' efforts is reasonably accurate. 'Black' propaganda is intentionally misleading or fabricated information attributed to a wrong sponsor.

The Penguin Encyclopedia of Modern Warfare describes propaganda literature as the organized use of publicity material to spread information, doctrine or practices. Propaganda literature is one medium to reach and persuade.

Dissemination of persuasive information is an integral tactic in supporting, or opposing, a particular course of thought and/or action. Pro or con, true or false, biased information attempts to influence someone's point of view. Supportive public opinion must be obtained and maintained especially during an extended struggle such as the Indochina wars.

Printers, publishers and editors were important influences in preparing the public for war and in maintaining a fighting spirit during the war. Of course, there are other intricate, vital programs to an active, effective PSYWAR campaign. However, for the concerns of this report, propaganda literature is the focus, sometimes supplemented by a look at related propaganda information whatever the medium.

The forthcoming study of propaganda literature can serve several purposes: (1) to educate the reader as to the extent and vastness of this aspect of PSYWAR, (2) to expose some of the truths and lies involved in the manufacturing of propaganda literature, and (3) to evaluate the impact, both immediate and ultimate, of propaganda literature.

For this report, I rely on my personal experiences, hours of archival research and personal interviews with people affected by this period in time. As a bonus, I received some unsolicited material from veterans who just wanted to share their knowledge. For sure, I am no expert on propaganda. But I am sharp enough to observe and evaluate events which could change lives. More importantly, I know the value of good 'back up.' Not that I accept every opinion entertained, for I certainly have formed my own theories and conclusions as to reasons for and results of our VietNam adventure. Throughout this study it won't be hard to tell where I stand. But the search for objectivity requires consideration of all relevant information, so included in my report are attitudes and accounts I may or may not subscribe to. Regardless, each chapter offers some reflections of my own. But I cannot know every angle each side played in the overall Viet struggle. Therefore, I integrate relevant viewpoint and information with my own thoughts. This portrait exhibits a spectrum of 'colors.'

Naturally this leaves me open to debate with parties that have different perspectives, on the war in general or my work specifically. I trust they believe whole heartily in their viewpoints. This work is not intended to change anybody's mind on this tragic episode in world history.

As a good friend and advisor, Sgt. Steve Berntson (USMC, Ret.), tells me, 'It's almost too late to try and change people's beliefs and opinions of the VietNam War(s) when they have had 25 plus years to solidify into pro or con camps. As for the upcoming generation, they view the war in VietNam with the same level of distance you and I grew to see the First World War (WWI)-something that happened long ago, pictured primarily in history books and talked about by very old people.'

So, we find value in this study in other ways. Sgt. Berntson continues, 'The study can identify to readers the vast amount of written materials on the VietNam war which may or may not be mainstream and provide readers with a directional map to some theories and different points of view about the war through greatly varied sources and authors. It can also provide additional information about the Vietnamese people, their culture, and their series of wars, and help the reader learn more about the wars' politics at the individual level.'

However, Sgt. Berntson cautions me, 'As with all propaganda, truth and historical accuracy are amended to meet the need of the hour. And as with all propaganda, time and historical investigation will prove it out to be perverted.' Sgt. Steve 'Bernie' Berntson was a Marine combat correspondent in South Viet Nam. He knows something about propaganda. But, in his own words, he 'was a rifleman first.' His grunt-grind gallantries garnered two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star medal W/V device for valor under fire.

Bernie also advises me to be careful with my sources. As well as those which are trustworthy and verifiable, some might be or have been challenged. Possibly even discredited. Information contained within this report ranges from: 'official' to ad hoc, respected to suspected, standard to scarce, regulated to renegade, classic to contemporary and scholarly to street-wise. Plus, of course, fact to fancy. Paraphrasing from Edwin Emery's The Press and America, the conflicting ideas as the revolution progressed can be followed by studying the products of the journalists who represented their respective class or groups at the time: (1) retain the basic structure and continue to rule by property, heredity, position and tradition; (2) discuss both sides of political questions, an objectivity usually not very popular; (3) promote unfounded charges and vicious rumors. Each journalist's product, in turn, is a correlation of political, economical and social trends and progress.

With all the