factually
Index/Topics/Psychological Warfare in Military Contexts

Psychological Warfare in Military Contexts

The historical use of playing cards as a form of psychological warfare in military conflicts.

Fact-Checks

2 results
Feb 5, 2026

How have ace of spades or similar symbols been used historically in U.S. law‑enforcement or military contexts?

The has been employed by military units as a symbol of unit identity, luck and—most infamously—psychological warfare dating back at least to and becoming prominent in Vietnam-era operations . In 2026 ...

Feb 2, 2026

Are there documented precedents of law enforcement using playing cards as psychological operations in U.S. domestic policing?

There are well-documented domestic precedents of law enforcement using as investigative tools — most commonly “cold case” decks distributed to prisons, jails and the public to generate tips — and ther...