A Powerful Short Film About the Helmet Art Made by Soldiers in the Vietnam War
Video maker STULL created a powerful short film that focuses on the helmet art made by soldiers during the Vietnam War, noting that while the military did not condone the defacement of helmets, it was not condemned either.
Soldiers were not allowed to decorate theirgear, but most officers didn't give a shit and allowed some individuality as long, as they were in the realm of reason. Some drew cartoons. Others etched kill counts or inside jokes that probably only made sense tothree people in their platoon. Some just scribbled nonsense. It didn't matter. It was theirs.
Some of the most famous war-related phrases came out of this specific type of art, and some were even repurposed in other art media.
A famous example was the phrase When I Die,I'll Go To Heaven, Because I've Spent My Time In Hell", popularized by the 1st Cavalry Division.Another was the Death Card" as they called it, that became a symbol of the fighting spirit of many soldiers within the division. It eventually got widely adopted by other units. Other common slogans were, War is Hell,"Kill a Commie for Mommy,", Make war, not love" (that picture was used in the cover of Meatis Murder" by The Smiths) and my favorite War is Good Business,Invest Your Son".
The Smiths' Meat Is Murder' CoverView this post on Instagram