The Secret War in Laos
Long Tieng, Laos (LS20A)
Headquarters for the Secret War
Headquarters for the Secret War
Lao Leader of the Hmong Special
Guerrilla Units (SGU), General
Vang Pao
Guerrilla Units (SGU), General
Vang Pao
Lao Prime Minister Souvanna
Phouma.
Phouma.
B-52 Bomber
Northeastern Laos, the epicenter of the Secret War. This operational
area was the most hotly contested region.
area was the most hotly contested region.
RLAF, T-28 "Trojans" Return from a
Mission.
Mission.
Russian MI-4 "Hound" It was
spotted periodically in Northern
Laos,flying NVA troops into combat.
spotted periodically in Northern
Laos,flying NVA troops into combat.
Russian IL-14 "Crate". Used
extensively to resupply NVA and
Pathet Laos troops in Northern
Laos. The Crate's movement was
monitored by Invert at NKP.
extensively to resupply NVA and
Pathet Laos troops in Northern
Laos. The Crate's movement was
monitored by Invert at NKP.
The Secret War in Laos evolved, and grew over a number of years. After the French were defeated at Dien
Bien Phu in 1954, the United States moved to support the Lao people by providing aid which was
administered by the United States Operating Mission (USOM). The amount of aid increased and became
known as the Military Assistance Program (MAP), under the Department of Defense. The United States
provided military hardware, aircraft, and training led by U.S. Army Green Berets. And, as the North
Vietnamese increased their presence in Laos, the Central Intelligence Agency, under direction from the
U.S. Government began to recruit and train Special Guerrilla Units to conduct intelligence operations, and
hit-and-run strikes against the NVA. This effort, over time, became known as the Secret War in Laos. It had
to be kept secret due to restrictions imposed by the Geneva Accords.
Bien Phu in 1954, the United States moved to support the Lao people by providing aid which was
administered by the United States Operating Mission (USOM). The amount of aid increased and became
known as the Military Assistance Program (MAP), under the Department of Defense. The United States
provided military hardware, aircraft, and training led by U.S. Army Green Berets. And, as the North
Vietnamese increased their presence in Laos, the Central Intelligence Agency, under direction from the
U.S. Government began to recruit and train Special Guerrilla Units to conduct intelligence operations, and
hit-and-run strikes against the NVA. This effort, over time, became known as the Secret War in Laos. It had
to be kept secret due to restrictions imposed by the Geneva Accords.
Ho Chi Minh, leader of the Communist
movement in Southeast Asia.
movement in Southeast Asia.
NVA General Vo Nguyen Giap. Led
Communist troops in Vietnam and
Laos.
Communist troops in Vietnam and
Laos.
For Operational purposes, Laos was divided
into military regions to facilitate support by
the U.S.
into military regions to facilitate support by
the U.S.
The Lao Military Regions were later
divided into several operational areas
enhancing air support. The areas were
primarily identified as Barrel Roll, Steel
Tiger, and Tiger Hound.
divided into several operational areas
enhancing air support. The areas were
primarily identified as Barrel Roll, Steel
Tiger, and Tiger Hound.
To move guerrillas and war-fighting equipment and supplies, Air America was contracted
to do the job. They stepped up to the task, and did an outstanding job using a myriad of
aircraft. Pictured below are three of the most heavily used aircraft.
to do the job. They stepped up to the task, and did an outstanding job using a myriad of
aircraft. Pictured below are three of the most heavily used aircraft.
| Bell 204 Helicopter- Used to move small numbers of troops around, and for medical evacuation and rescue of downed U.S. Airmen. |
| H-34 Helicopter- Used to shuttle troops in contact and to move war supplies to hostile engagements. |
| C-46 "Commando" Cargo Aircraft- This workhorse of the fleet move freight and passengers as necessary to support the Hmong guerrillas. |
Edgar "Pop" Buell, a retired farmer
from Indiana oversaw the refugee
program for USAID in Laos during
the Secret War. Pop was a beloved
figure throughout the country.
from Indiana oversaw the refugee
program for USAID in Laos during
the Secret War. Pop was a beloved
figure throughout the country.
As the Secret War raged from the early 1960s to 1975, many Lao citizens were
displaced by the ravages of war. The United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) stepped in and tried to care for the refugees by moving them
to safe locations. USAID also ran many programs designed to help the Lao. The
projects included digging wells, building schools and roads, and providing medical
care and life skills intended to make the Lao more self-reliant.
displaced by the ravages of war. The United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) stepped in and tried to care for the refugees by moving them
to safe locations. USAID also ran many programs designed to help the Lao. The
projects included digging wells, building schools and roads, and providing medical
care and life skills intended to make the Lao more self-reliant.
Dr. Charles (Jiggs) Weldon was a
doctor who worked for USAID in
Laos. He was a true giant among
men as he traveled throughout
Laos healing the sick and injured.
doctor who worked for USAID in
Laos. He was a true giant among
men as he traveled throughout
Laos healing the sick and injured.
After the Secret War ended, Pop Buell remained in Laos helping to take care of the blind
in Vientiane. He died suddenly in 1980 while visiting an old friend in Manila, Philippines.
Doc Weldon moved to northern Thailand after Laos was lost to the Communists. He
remained there until his death in 2002. Doc Weldon wrote an excellent book about his
time in Laos. It is entitled, "Tragedy in Paradise": "A Country Doctor at War in Laos".
in Vientiane. He died suddenly in 1980 while visiting an old friend in Manila, Philippines.
Doc Weldon moved to northern Thailand after Laos was lost to the Communists. He
remained there until his death in 2002. Doc Weldon wrote an excellent book about his
time in Laos. It is entitled, "Tragedy in Paradise": "A Country Doctor at War in Laos".
Read all about the war in my new
book.
The book is also available on
Amazon.com and other Internet
stores. It will be on bookstore
shelves in the very near future.
Amazon.com and other Internet
stores. It will be on bookstore
shelves in the very near future.
USAF Col. William A. Jones III
Recipient of the Medal of Honor
for extraordinary heroism during
the Secret War in Laos.
Recipient of the Medal of Honor
for extraordinary heroism during
the Secret War in Laos.
CMSgt. Richard Etchberger
Received the Medal Of Honor for
heroism during the attack on Phou
Pha Thi in Laos in 1968.
Received the Medal Of Honor for
heroism during the attack on Phou
Pha Thi in Laos in 1968.
Click photos of Col. Jones and
CMSgt. Etchberger for more
information about their heroic
actions under hostile fire.
CMSgt. Etchberger for more
information about their heroic
actions under hostile fire.
Russian AN-2 Colt, similar to the one used in
the attack on Phou Pha Thi preceding the
arrival of the NVA Sappers who killed
approximately 11 USAF Technicians in 1968.
the attack on Phou Pha Thi preceding the
arrival of the NVA Sappers who killed
approximately 11 USAF Technicians in 1968.
It is with great sadness that we report the death of Lao General Vang Pao. H died on January 6,
2011 at a hospital near Fresno, CA. Vang Pao who was 81 years old died of complications
resulting from Pneumonia and fatigue. Funeral and memorial services are being planned. We
will report all the information as it becomes available. May God bless this courageous and
dedicated man. He was one of the last great freedom fighters in the world.
2011 at a hospital near Fresno, CA. Vang Pao who was 81 years old died of complications
resulting from Pneumonia and fatigue. Funeral and memorial services are being planned. We
will report all the information as it becomes available. May God bless this courageous and
dedicated man. He was one of the last great freedom fighters in the world.
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