Collection: Martin F. Herz Papers 1 | Georgetown University Archival Resources

Scope and Contents

The Martin F. Herz Papers, comprising nine linear feet of manuscript material, span the period from 1941 to 1983. The earliest material concerns his work in psychological warfare during the Second World War. Included are memoranda and reports on the theory, application, and effectiveness of American propaganda techniques, as well as actual examples of American, German, Russian, British and Japanese propaganda. Also included are subsequent correspondence files on collecting in the field of psychological warfare.

The next series consists of memoranda and reports written by Herz while assigned as a political analyst in Austria from 1945-1948. Included is a lengthy introduction on the nature of Herz's work and the documents included. The third series includes declassified reports, data and research material on the Cold War years; the state of French politics (1953); Cuba (1961); Algeria (1961); the Dominican Crisis (1965-1966); Iran (1963-1967); and US/USSR foreign relations (1965-1980). Also included are manuscripts, clippings and reprints of articles written by Herz.

The fourth series concerns Herz's interest and research on psychological warfare as employed during the Vietnam War. Included is an extensive collection of propaganda leaflets issued by the United States, the North Vietnamese and the Vietcong.

The final series consists of general research files on Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

Dates

1941-1983

Conditions Governing Access

Most manuscripts collections at the Georgetown University Booth Family Center for Special Collections are open to researchers; however, restrictions may apply to some collections. Collections stored off site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscripts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in advance of any visit.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers are solely responsible for determining the copyright status of the materials being used, establishing who the copyright owner is, locating the copyright owner, and obtaining permission for intended use.

Biographical / Historical

Martin Florian Herz was born July 9, 1917 in New York City, the son of an Austrian immigrant who eventually returned with his family to Austria. Martin Herz received his elementary and secondary education in Austria before returning to the United States. He attended Columbia University where he received a B.S. degree in 1937. Because of his general background and obvious language skills, Herz was assigned to psychological warfare operations during the Second World War. He became an authority on surrender, capture and desertion, and was, in fact, the author of the majority of propaganda leaflets dropped on German troops in the West. In 1945 he was re-assigned to the political division of the Headquarters of the United States Forces in Austria. After demobilization that year, he returned to Vienna as third secretary at the American embassy, continuing his duties as political officer until the end of 1948. From 1949 to 1974, Herz was stationed variously in Washington, Paris, Phnom Penh, Tokyo, Tehran and Saigon (see attached chronology). In 1974 he was named ambassador to Bulgaria, a post he held until 1977. From 1977 to his death in 1983, Ambassador Herz was associated with Georgetown University as Director of Studies of the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy.