Vietnam // NLF / 506A Platoon Viet Cong
Little is known about the history of this Viet Cong flag. It was acquired as a GI bringback through private purchase in 2007. It is stated to be a flag captured by a trooper from the 1st Air Cavalry Division, in Tet in 1968, during Operation Bolling, a large scale search and destroy operation conducted by the 173d Airborne Brigade, to seek out, destroy or capture the enemy and to deny him the bountiful food resources available in the TUY HOA Valley.
However, ever since President Clinton normalized relations with Vietnam in 1995 there has been a lively trade in all types of war souvenirs, including flags, that all have the look of the pre-1975 items, although made for the Vietnamese war souvenir market. These commemorative NVA and VC flags are currently being made for parades and victory anniversary celebrations in Ho-Chi-Minh City. Presumably for Vietnamese veterans, now growing nostalgic and seeking a memento of service, a unit color or a victory or moral flag.
It is highly likely that these are made by the same shops and firms and possibly the same people using the same fabrics and techniques who made them in the 1970s. It would not be difficult for these to pass into the collector's market.
National Liberation Front // 506A Platoon / "Viet Cong"
Stated to have been captured during Tet Offensive in Operation Bolling Summer, 1968, by US Army 1st Air Cavalry Division trooper.
ZFC Collectible Flag
No Description
