Many Flags

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Many Flags was a campaign launched by U.S. President Lyndon Johnson to urge U.S. allies in Asia and the Pacific to support South Vietnam in the Vietnam War. It aimed to rally the Free World against communism and to provide military, economic, and logistical aid to South Vietnam, not just through direct U.S. forces but also by helping its allies participate.

Allied countries that contributed in varying ways included seven nations: United States, South Korea, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Taiwan. In addition, many other countries sent smaller amounts of medical care, transportation, construction help, or equipment. Here is a quick look at the main contributors and their efforts:

- United States: The largest participant, providing extensive military, financial, and logistical support.
- South Korea: The biggest foreign contributor, with as many as about 300,000 Korean troops serving over several years; more than 5,000 soldiers were killed and about 10,000 wounded.
- Australia: About 60,000 Australians served, including infantry, airborne, medical, and support units; roughly 521 were killed and many more wounded.
- New Zealand: Around 3,890 New Zealand troops served; 37 were killed and about 187 wounded.
- Thailand: About 40,000 Thai troops contributed, along with police and air assets; 351 Thai service members were killed and about 1,358 wounded.
- Philippines: Up to about 10,000 Filipino troops served from 1965 onward, mostly in medical and logistical roles; casualties were relatively low.
- Taiwan: Transport aircraft were provided, and several hundred Taiwanese special forces were deployed; 25 Taiwanese soldiers died.

Other nations also helped in smaller ways, sending medical teams, engineers, or equipment. Countries listed as participants or contributors included Afghanistan, Belgium, Canada, France, Greece, Japan, the United Kingdom, West Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, and many others.

Overall, Many Flags brought a broad international effort to support South Vietnam, combining military force, economic aid, and propaganda aims as part of the broader Cold War strategy.