johnson rare books & archives, ABAA (2 results)

A single-sided flyer for a GI Teach-In held Saturday, August 10, [1968] at Provo Park in Berkeley, California. The flyer features a black and white photographic image of a weary soldier leaning against a tree and smoking a cigarette with the caption: Bring Him Home. The program for the event advertised G.I. speakers, Vietnam veterans, an open mic, and bands. The flyer states: "During the April 27th Mobilization Against the War, servicemen from bases throughout the Bay Area participated in the antiwar actions. This was the first time that active G.I.'s joined with students to protest the war. We must involve these GIs, we must encourage their opposition; they are being sent to kill and be killed in a senseless war." The event was hosted by the Student Mobilization Committee, which was formed in 1966 to coordinate opposition to U.S. involvement in the war in Vietnam among college and high school students. Originally named The Vietnam Day Committee, the SMC organized protests on campuses and in various cities, and was one of the first groups that included both soldiers and civilians. Coverage of the GI Teach-In appeared in the Berkeley Barb, Volume 7, Issue 7, August 16-22, 1968: "'I've learned two things in Vietnam,' said the veteran, 'war is hell and the Army sucks.' That was the basic theme of the GI teach-in held last Saturday in Berkeley's Provo Park. The mike was open only to soldiers or ex-soldiers, and it had a constant flow of users from the audience. After opening speeches by Don Duncan and some newer faces, including Ron Alexander (ex-special Forces), Dennis Steele (ex-101st Airborne), and Airman First Class Michael Locks, the mike was thrown open. It remained occupied for several hours.Speakers reported that in Vietnam the mood of the soldiers has changed drastically from the early days. Now NCO's and below can denounce the war policy in front of an officer who will, at the most, turn and leave. All of the speakers agreed that it was of prime importance to give soldiers some indications of support in their antiwar views, both on base and off." This scarce piece is photomechanically reproduced on a 11" x 8 �" sheet of white paper, which is a bit toned with a one-inch closed tear along the right edge; otherwise very good.

Seller Inventory # 73830

Fascinating album concerning an officer's dealings with the hill tribes in the mountains around Vietnam, the Montagnards (an umbrella term coined by the French for the indigenous mountain people). Quarto three-ring binder. It contains 85 black and white photographs and 20 color photographs of Lt. Col. Frank F. Shelby in his interactions with the Montagnards and with his own unit. Binder and photographs both in very good condition. Shelby (b.1929) grew up in Lexington, Missouri. He joined the army in time to serve in the Korean War where he was with the 5th Regimental Combat Team. It was in Korea that he met his wife, Jean, who was also in the Army serving in the Women's Army Corps. He eventually ended up in Vietnam and was assigned to the U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV), a joint-service command of the United States Department of Defense. It was first implemented to assist the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) Vietnam, controlling every advisory and assistance effort in Vietnam, but was reorganized on May 15, 1964 and absorbed MAAG Vietnam to its command when combat unit deployment became too large for advisory group control. He and Jean retired in 1973 and soon opened a Sambo's restaurant in the Cordova Mall in Pensacola. The Monochrome photographs are generally 5 �" x 3 �" (except for about five 8" x 10") and document Shelby's military service in 1969-70. He seems to have been a liaison of sorts with the Montagnard troops fighting with the Americans. But unlike other war albums, his seemed to be a mission of coercion and diplomacy. There are no vivid photographs of napalm burning or helicopters crashing. Rather almost the whole album shows him relating to the Montagnards. He visited many Montagnard encampments, distributing food and resources, smoking ceremonial pipe with the elders, arranging concerts, etc. Much of the album are photographs portraits of solitary Montagnards. Also includes a printed multicolor "Giay Thong-Hanh" pass. It states, "Safe-conduct pass to be honored by all Vietnamese Government agencies and allied forces", and consists of a yellow slip with lettering in English and Vietnamese bearing images of the flags of all the allied troops. In the margin Shelby has written, "These are passed out in Villages and dropped from planes. All part of the PSYOP program.".

Seller Inventory # 74627