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Bo Zarts

(26,208 posts)
7. Sounds like a decades-old joke of mine that I used when asked what I flew in Vietnam ..
Sun Nov 23, 2025, 12:06 PM
Nov 23

Since what I flew was top-secret, crypto, special intelligence, etc., I liked to answer people by telling them that in Vietnam I flew for the Salvation Army dropping "Come-to-Jesus" tracts over the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

Actually, there were many psyops (psychological warfare) programs in Vietnam that involved dropping US propaganda leaflets from aircraft. The most notable of these programs involved the Chiêu Hồi, or "Open Arms," initiative. Chiêu Hồi tried to get VC and PAVN (NVA) soldiers to surrender, and offered varying degrees of rewards for "returning," especially with weapons.

The effectiveness of the US military's Chiêu Hồi program is a subject of debate. The US government claims that around 194,000 VC and PAVN soldiers crossed over. That number is, by many, considered wildly exaggerated. Without a doubt, some Chiêu Hồi deserters met fates worse that death .. and then death .. at the hands of their US "hosts."



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