VIETNAM WAR 1968 KON TUM Battle Flag V. C. Vietnamese Liberation Army Commando

Description

For your consideration is this
VERY SCARCE
and
HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE
54 year old vintage 1968
authentic 38.0" x 27.0" VIETNAMESE ARMED FORCES FOR THE LIBERATION OF THE SOUTH red and yellow fringed military battle flag/banner honoring the army's battle actions in Kon Tum during the Tet Offensive
.  The banner flag is deep red in color and is meticulously embroidered with multiple colors.  The flag's border is surrounded on three sides with gold colored braided fringe.  I acquired this flag about 45 years ago from a former U.S. Army soldier who said he brought it home after his service in Vietnam.
I was told that the flag was awarded in recognition of the Army's meritorious actions during their Tet Offensive in 1968.
According to my research,
the
Liberation Army of South Vietnam
(LASV), or
People's Liberation Armed Forces of South Vietnam
(PLAF), also referred as the
Liberation Army
(Vietnamese:
Giải phóng quân
), was the official army of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam (NLF), or more commonly known in the West as the "
Viet Cong
" (VC).
The flag is quality made and appears to be cotton.  The front is heavily embroidered and the back is intentionally blank.  The flag's backing (possibly silk) is sewn along the outer perimeter so as to intentionally cover up the front side's embroidery stitching showing in reverse when the flag is displayed or flown.  Please refer to description photo # 2 for more details about what I have described.
The front of the flag is features approximately .75" tall embroidered bright yellow threaded Vietnamese words.
Please note, I do not read Vietnamese so I must rely on the expertise of others for the interpretation.  If the noted translation is incorrect please let me know so I can make the necessary revisions and/or corrections
.
To that end, I am advised the words on the flag translate into English to mean the following.
"ARMED FORCES FOR THE LIBERATION OF THE SOUTH"
"KON TUM ELITE ARMED FORCES"
"COMMANDO BATTALION 401"
"HIGH LAND VICTORY WIN NOBEL TITLE 1968"
The red field of the flag (without measuring the gold colored fringes) has an overall measurement of approximately 38.0" long by 27.0" wide.  In the center of the flag there is what appears to be a large heavily embroidered colorful military insignia of a People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) award ribbon.  Note, although I am not for certain, the noted insignia bears a striking resemblance to the referenced
PAVN insignia thus my assumption.  Here again,
if I am incorrect please advise me and I will make the necessary revisions and/or corrections
.  On the insignia appear the Vietnamese words "
CHIEN THANG
" which again I am advised translates into English to mean "
VICTORY
" or "
VICTORIOUS
".  The aforementioned award ribbon insignia measures approximately 11.0" tall and 8.0" wide.
The flag has a tightly sewn double-hemmed lined perimeter that remains tight.  There is no damage to the flag as it remains clean and in the original condition it was received in.  The flag does have horizontal and vertical fold lines from having been folded up while in storage but I am sure these fold lines could easily be ironed out if the new owner so desired.
Please refer to the description photos to confirm the condition of the flag and for more details about what I have described.
The flag is in very good condition for being 54 years old.  The embroidered lettering is firmly stitched in place with no loss to any of the letters.  The gold colored braided fringe seen along the three sides of the flag all remain securely sewn in to the flag's perimeter.  There doesn't appear to be any missing fringe.  Please refer to the description photos to confirm the condition of the flag and for more details about what I have described.
Overall, this gorgeous looking fringed Vietnam War era banner flag is an authentic vintage piece of history that any active or retired military memorabilia collector or enthusiast would be proud to own and display among the prized pieces in their collection.  Authentic Vietnamese Army flags like this one are very scarce and hard to come by.  The time to buy is when you find one; don't miss out on this opportunity.
Below is additional information I found on the internet regarding the battle of Kontum in 1968.
The Battle of Kontum
At the end of January, 1968, the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese launched an offensive throughout the entire country of South Vietnam. Every major city and every Provincial Capital was attacked.
The attack on Kontum, the capital of Kontum Province, was initially hampered by elements of the South Vietnamese Army, who prevented the enemy from taking complete control of the city. However, during the attack, enemy forces managed to occupy large areas of the city and some of the outlying territory.
The US Army force responsible for this area of operations was the 4th Infantry Division. Several units of the Division were tasked with clearing the enemy out of the city and pursuing him into the countryside. LTC William P. Junk, Commander of 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry, was given ground command of the operation and was directed to assume command of all 4th Infantry Division forces in the area.
For the duration of the operation the elements at his disposal were organized into Task Force 1-22.  The ensuing 14 day battle became known as the Battle of Kontum.
Please look at the description photos closely as they confirm the condition of the banner flag I describe and accurately depict exactly what you will receive if you purchase this piece.  If you have any questions or concerns regarding the flag or would like additional photographs of a particular area of the flag please email me and I will respond ASAP.
The flag will ship from Texas zip code 77362 via USPS Priority Mail safely secured between two pieces of protective cardboard inside a 13.0" x 11.0" x 1.0" padded shipping envelope weighing approximately 15.0 ounces after packaging.  Buyer pays true shipping cost, if you would like to estimate shipping to your home zip code you can enter the aforementioned shipping information into either the USPS or eBay postal calculator program.
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