There’s a difference between drawing visual and thematic inspiration from Vietnam, and doing a full-on allegory about the Vietnam war. And if Star Wars really was meant to be a Vietnam allegory, then it’s a really bad one for several reasons.

George has always been one to speak bluntly. He’s not gonna beat around the bush and say something like “I drew on the visuals and themes of Vietnam to enhance my story.” He’ll just say “It’s about Vietnam. Palpatine is Nixon.” Because he speaks bluntly. That doesn’t make it a full allegory, necessarily.