---
title: 'Hanoi in English: a defector''s recorded letter to ''his colored buddies'', 23 June 1968'
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/hanoi-radio-nolan-black-gis-letter-1968/
description: First pages of a U.S. Government transcript of a Radio Hanoi English-language broadcast of 23 June 1968 to American servicemen in South Vietnam.
section: Collection
---

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

**Content note:** Wartime broadcast text addressed to Black U.S. soldiers by race, using period terms such as 'colored', and alleging atrocities. This object is shown as it was published. [Why](https://propagandaarchive.org/about/#as-it-was)

[![Hanoi in English: a defector's recorded letter to 'his colored buddies', 23 June 1968](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/hanoi-radio-nolan-black-gis-letter-1968.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/hanoi-radio-nolan-black-gis-letter-1968.jpg)

# Hanoi in English: a defector's recorded letter to 'his colored buddies', 23 June 1968

First pages of a U.S. Government transcript of a Radio Hanoi English-language broadcast of 23 June 1968 to American servicemen in South Vietnam. An announcer introduces a recorded letter from a named U.S. Army soldier, said to have crossed to the National Liberation Front, addressed to Black soldiers. The tell is the testimonial: a named, numbered American voice vouches for good treatment and urges refusal of operations, with the announcer framing the address by race.

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
'HANOI in English to American servicemen in South Vietnam 2300 GMT 23 June 68 b
( recorded letter by U:S. army defector MCKINLY NOLAN to his colored buddies in South Vietnam--of. NOLAN's recorded letter of 1300 GMT 27 March 1968)
(text) Announcer: MCKINLY NOLAN, a black G.I. of the U.S. first 1st infantry division who has crossed over to the South Vietnam Nation (?central) liberation front, sent the following letter to his colored buddies in South Vietnam.
(voice with American accent) Dear colored friends of American forces in South Vietnam, My name is MCKINLY NOLAN, U.S. 50101802 rpt 50101802, grade E-4, rpt E-4, Company A rpt A, second 2d battalion (?60-M rpt 60-M), first 1st infantry division.
I've the pleasure to have this (wod indistinct) to write you a few words about me. I am fine. I have been well treated since I have been in the liberated area. The liberation compatriots are very kind to me. They give me delicate food to eat. I also receive three 3 meals a day. I am allowed to read books, newspapers, listen to radio, and enjoy the lunar New Year festival. They give me everything I need and always take good care of me.
Now I will tell you something about the war in South Vietnam.
What did the American government say to you when you were to be sent here. You were sent here to protect the South Vietnamese people from Vietcong and to defend America against Communism. You just take note, how can you protect Americans when you are not in America, and how are we helping the South Vietnamese people when we are out on operations, destroying all the hamlets, killing all women and children.
-2-
Those are misdeeds we are doing here. I think this war waged by our government in this country is nothing but an aggressive one. It is immoral, senseless, unjust, and useless, not for the world's interest but for the sake of U.S. capitalism.
In our country our colored people are oppressed and exploited by Johnson's government. We are the first (words indistinct). Tha t's why our colored people can't vote for our own equality and freedom.
The Vietnamese people are struggling for peace and independent freedom and reunification of their fatherland.) They are doing what Americans did in the 18th century liberty and freedom for all.
As you know original (as heard--ed.), the Vietnamese people and the Liberation armed forces have been locked in a test against the U:SS and the Saigon army. (sentence indistinct).
U.S. is trying to invade this country. There you kill and be killed. So you can avoid this useless death by not taking part in any operations and refuse to go to be killed (wod indistinct). Do not (words indistinct) Saigon administration. Do not listen (words indistinct).
We are not allowed to be in Vietnam because Vietnamese affairs must be settled by the Vietnamese themselves.
If you are forced to take part in operations you can do as I did, that is, to cross over to the South Vietnamese National Front of Liberation and the people's side. You choose to be with them. In doing so your life will be safe and sound and you will receive fair treatment given by them, because they do not dislike American people but hate what American servicemen are doing in Vietnam, because they use many (?sorts of) modern weapons, napalm bombs, toxic--toxic chemicals, to kill and massacre South Vietnamese people, destroy their houses, hamlets, crops, and rape women.
If you are with me, first thing you have to do say to them you must struggle against those who (word indistinct). (words indistinct) the Vietnamese
```

Verbatim from the U.S. Government transcript, including its typing errors, '(?...)' guesses and '(word indistinct)' marks. This image shows transcript pages 7 and 8; the text continues on page 9 of the file (not hosted). Handwritten and stamped marks on the scan are not transcribed.

[← "Vous l'aimez votre pays": Communist Party of Belgium election poster, Brussels](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/belgian-communist-votez-555-1968/) [Hanoi in English: 'Comments on America's Independence Day', 3 July 1968 →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/hanoi-radio-jackson-fourth-of-july-1968/)

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