On This Day in 1965, Johnnie Wright Hit No. 1 With a Rare Pro-War Song Featuring His Wife, Kitty Wells

On 3 November 1965, Johnnie Wright’s “Hello Vietnam” reached No. 1 on the country chart, where it remained for three weeks and became his biggest hit. Featuring guest vocals by his wife, Kitty Wells, the song later served as the opening theme for Stanley Kubrick’s film *Full Metal Jacket*.

Written by Tom T. Hall, it was an uncommon pro-war hit during an era when anti-war songs were more prevalent. Rather than attacking protesters or hippies, it focused on the heartbreak of couples separated by the conflict, while also presenting the war as a defence against communism and invoking the Domino Theory, which shaped early US policy in Southeast Asia.