Ambiguous Morality

Date: August 5, 1963

South Vietnamese Marine attempts to alleviate the pain of one
of his own in a sugar cane field outside Saigon. His eyes are filled
with a strange emptiness, he does not seem to feel any pain or
loss-if anything he looks at the camera as if he were a child,
confused, unable to understand the purpose of bloodshed and war.

Date: August 1962

U.S. navy troop carrier takes South Vietnamese government troops to the Privincial Capital of Ca Mau. One soldier sits on guard as the rest of the battalion rest peacefully, appearing to be lifeless. The soldier on guard seems to be wary of his surroundings. He seems to be contemplating a deep matter, possibly the purpose of the war. His eyes are filled with a strange sort of resentment that seems to be directed at no particular person or group, but rather directed at the intangible war itself.

Date: (unknown)

Blindfolded Vietnamese citizen squats in dirt as two soldiers stand behind in watch. This appears to be some sort of execution of sport as the blindfolded man wears nothing but a a ragged shirt, smudged shorts and a face of indescribable fear. Details are unknown if the soldiers in the background are North Vietnamese, South Vietnamese or U.S. marines. Regardless, this image is a clear display of ambiguous morality as for viewers of the photo it seems cruel
but for the soldiers completing the task, it is just a part of their daily routine.

Date: June 8, 1972

After an aerial napalm attack on suspected Viet Cong hiding grounds, children, horrified are followed by South Vietnamese forces down Route 1 near Trang Bang. The soldiers in the backdrop are unnaturally calm, as the one on the far right seems to be having a cigarette. This contrast between the terrified children and emotionless soldiers forces viewers to question their beliefs on the Vietnam War. Was the United States' interference during a civil war of South Vietnam and North Vietnam truly righteous?