---
title: Why Vietnam? (Department of Defense film)
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/dod-why-vietnam-film-1965/
description: A frame from the Department of Defense film "Why Vietnam?" shows President Lyndon Johnson at a lectern with microphones, in profile, with aides behind him.
section: Collection
---

[Collection](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/)

[![Why Vietnam? (Department of Defense film)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/dod-why-vietnam-film-1965.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/dod-why-vietnam-film-1965.jpg)

# Why Vietnam? (Department of Defense film)

A frame from the Department of Defense film "Why Vietnam?" shows President Lyndon Johnson at a lectern with microphones, in profile, with aides behind him. The film's catalogue summary says it outlines US policy through statements by Johnson, Secretary of State Dean Rusk and Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. The tell is the format: official speakers address the camera and the case for the war is made in their words, with no outside voice.

## Text on the object

Checked for printed text

No printed or legible text on this object.

The chosen frame carries no on-screen text. The film's narration and speeches are spoken audio and were not transcribed.

[← Bằng chứng cụ thể tại Vũng-Rô (Concrete Proof at Vung Ro), USIA photo-sheet](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/bang-chung-cu-the-tai-vung-ro-usia-1965/) [Vietnam Fights and Builds, No. 6 (1965), page 5: 'International Aid Day celebrated in Saigon', 22 June 1965 →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/international-aid-day-saigon-vietnam-fights-and-builds-no6-1965/)

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