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This 1968 pamphlet was produced by the Korean Cultural and Freedom Foundation as part of an effort to solicit donations for “Radio of Free Asia” (ROFA), an anti-Communist broadcasting network designed to influence Asian audiences during the Vietnam War. Against the backdrop of rising domestic anti-war sentiment in the United States, the pamphlet offers a starkly contrasting message that urges readers to “support our men in Vietnam.” It positions ROFA’s work as critical to “winning and maintaining peace in Asia,” featuring endorsements from prominent political figures of the era, including former President Dwight D. Eisenhower and then-future President Richard M. Nixon.

Historical Context

The Vietnam War reached a turning point in 1968 with the Tet Offensive, a major escalation that intensified U.S. domestic debates about the conflict. While countless protests erupted stateside, some organizations redoubled their efforts to bolster the war strategy. As a product of Cold War ideology, Radio of Free Asia aimed to counter what the pamphlet repeatedly called “Communist propaganda,” focusing on broadcasting “the truth about Vietnam” to nations in Southeast and East Asia. The pamphlet ties the broader ideological confrontation with communism to the very real, ongoing conflict on the ground in Vietnam.

Although often overshadowed by larger-scale media campaigns like Voice of America or Radio Free Europe, projects such as ROFA highlight how multiple channels vied to shape international public opinion during this period. The Korean Cultural and Freedom Foundation argued that propaganda from the Soviet Union and China posed a threat to “freedom-loving people” and that only a robust American-led media effort could turn the tide.

Strategy and Goals

At its core, the pamphlet functions as a fundraising tool. It specifically calls for donations of any size to help ROFA “acquire more airtime from powerful radio transmitters.” By showcasing the year’s “impressive achievements”—such as expanded broadcast hours and interviews with defectors from Communist countries—the text conveys a sense of momentum and urgency. This “challenge for freedom in ’68,” as the pamphlet frames it, underscores a widely shared belief among hawkish elements in the U.S. government and public: that media and ideological battles were as important as military engagements.

The pamphlet also emphasizes the idea of “supporting our men in Vietnam” by tying their success on the battlefield to winning the ideological war off it. For readers fatigued by anti-war demonstrations, the call to unite behind the troops—and by extension, behind Radio of Free Asia—could be emotionally compelling.

Language, Imagery, and Symbolism

• Massed Soldiers: The cover image shows a densely packed formation of helmeted troops, reinforcing a sense of collective resolve and power. It also taps into patriotic feelings, suggesting that American soldiers are not alone in their fight.
• Bright Red Heading: Use of bold red typography at the top (“Help Radio of Free Asia”) and the tagline (“Support Our Men in Vietnam”) conjures a sense of urgency, reflecting both the Communist color association and a rallying cry for the reader to respond.
• Maps and Statistics: A centerfold map depicting broadcast coverage over China, North Vietnam, and other parts of Asia illustrates the pamphlet’s core argument: without such transmissions, the region would be swayed by “relentless Communist propaganda.”
• Testimonials: The page featuring quotes from recognized American leaders adds a veneer of credibility. Their statements describe ROFA as “vital,” linking it to the fate of the broader free world. By including multiple well-known political figures, the pamphlet seeks to establish bipartisan support (even though many of the endorsers were hawkish or conservative).

Impact

Whether this pamphlet significantly boosted ROFA’s fundraising is difficult to determine. At the time, many Americans were already becoming skeptical about the war, and the continuing rise of the peace movement made messages like this increasingly polarizing. Yet the pamphlet remains emblematic of how pro-war groups attempted to keep up morale and shore up public backing during a tumultuous year. It encapsulates the Cold War faith in information warfare—namely, that “true” messages broadcast via powerful transmitters could erode Communist influence and reshape political loyalties in Asia.

Over the longer term, the pamphlet’s narrative foreshadowed present-day debates over how best to use media resources to counter authoritarian regimes and extremist ideologies. Although the specific campaign for “Radio of Free Asia” in 1968 did not become a mainstream historical marker, its themes of “winning hearts and minds” and the need for direct media engagement remain relevant, especially in discussions about contemporary global propaganda and soft-power initiatives.

Special thanks to the USC Digital Imaging Lab for their support in digitizing this item.