Psychological Warfare

A.                 400 leaflets of 4-65 warning the VC of the death they can expect from aircraft and 400 leaflets of 5-65 series asking the peasants to inform USMC of VC locations and equipment where distributed to the villagers located in the Ky Chanh Peninsula vicinity (BT 4411) during a Battalion (-) operation on 5 February 1966.

B.                 2100 special leaflets from 3^rd Marine Division G-2 were distributed on Hoa Xuan Island vicinity (BT 4215) during a Battalion (-) operations on 23 February 1966.  The leaflets offered rewards for mines or information leading Marines to mines or booby traps.  The effectiveness of the leaflets has not yet been determined.

C.                On 16 February 1966 the 27^th Pay War Field detachment at Quang Ngai held a conference on Psychological Warfare in Viet Nam.  In attendance were representatives of the 1^st Marines, 7^th Marines, the 1^st Marine Division Psy War Officer, 1/4 and JUSPAO.  The main subject of the conference was the 27^th and JUSPAO’s capacity in helping us in the Chu Lai Enclave with Psy War.  They have the following capabilities:  To make tapes in a number of dialects, 4U-10 aircraft for leaflet drops and loudspeaker missions, ability to produce leaflets in a limited number, a drama platoon, an audio visual team with a limited film library, and will soon have a 10 KW radio station whose broadcasts will reach the Chu Lai Enclave.  The Psy War staff at Quang Ngai can produce a leaflet from nothing more than an idea.  Strong emphasis was put on the need of cooperation between the Civil Affairs and Psy War.  It was brought out in the conference the effectiveness of the VC propaganda against the VN civilian population.  To be effective in Psy War we must get to know the people and do this by working through the local village chiefs.  Interpreters, Village Chiefs, and officials should be encouraged to submit ideas and consulted on all Psy War material that is to be used.

D.                On 18 February 1966, the 3^rd MAF Psy War staff section in conjunction with JUSPAO and the Vietnamese Information Service held a conference in Da Nang on Psy War.  Representatives were there from all Marine Regiments presently in Viet Nam.  Problems, possible solutions, ideas and a Psy War summary from each regiment were discussed at length.  Major LOVE the 3^rd Marine Division Psy War officer discussed the possibility of using dual language leaflets and bulletin boards for posters and pictures. This idea has been tried in the Da Nang TAOR with success.  In one instance where the Marines would put posters up by day and the VC took them down at night, a sniper team was inserted into the area and killed two VC attempting to tear down the posters.  Many Marine units are offering rewards for information on the VC or their weapons.  The effectiveness of this program is still under study.  Psy War requires an imagination and ideas from various reporting units to be effective.  Our Psy War capability is limited and the number of school trained Psy War personnel is very small, we are learning by experience.  Problem areas took most of the discussion.  Some high points in this area were, leaflets promising rewards or a better way of life (Rallier program) are not followed through.  This ends up hurting our cause in the long run because a promise has been broken.  Another big problem is that most Regiments and Battalions have no S-5 (Psy War) officer assigned.  It generally turns out to be a collateral duty in the S-2 or S-3 sections.  Division Psy War will help all they can, but they must be kept informed of our positions.  Division has authorized our sending direct requests, to Quang Ngai with a copy for information to Division G-5.

E.                 In conclusion, the field of Psy War is unknown to most Marines.  Propaganda is still considered a dirty name by most American Military people, however, Psy War is being used effectively in Viet Nam, unfortunately the most effective are the Viet Cong.  Themes for posters and leaflets, information vacuums, almost any incident or happening can be developed into material for PsyWar.  To win the people through words and deeds often seems to run counter to our Marine doctrine, but if it means Marine lives saved it will be words and deeds well chosen.

This page last updated 21 August 2011