8/3/2019 The U.S. Secret War History_5 Military Regions-HCM Trail Map in Laos_V7_Final

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ROYAL LAO ARMED FORCES & SPECIAL GUERRILLA UNIT VETERANS

The United States Secret War In LaosIn 1954 the Communists began a major push toward communism

throughout Southeast Asia. The newly independent country of Laos

was strategically located to play a role in stopping the spread of thecommunists. President Eisenhower recognized the importance of

stopping communism and began planning a strategy for SE Asia

including Laos. In the late 1950's US Special Forces began a

military advisory role with Laos. Training began taking place in

Laos, Thailand, and the USA. Over time at least one thousand Lao

officers and NCO's came to the USA for training at several military

bases.

In 1962 an agreement was reached in Geneva to guarantee neutrality

for Laos. Promptly the North Vietnamese Army began using Lao

neutral lands to move men and supplies into South Vietnam. The US

was not supposed to be in Laos either and all involvement was

clandestine, hence the name "Secret War". President Kennedy

supported the war in SE Asia and increased US participation withmen and equipment, including Green Berets who worked closely

with indigenous forces in South Vietnam and Laos including covert

missions. US Presidents Johnson and President Nixon continued

increasing US involvement with Laos even after drawdown began in

1969.

Laos was divided into five Military Regions,(MR). Military Region

1 consisted of Royal Lao Armed Forces and Special Guerrilla Units, (RLAF & SGU) and commanded by Gen. Tiao Sayavong.

Military Region 2 consisted of RLAF & SGU and commanded by Gen. Vang Pao. Military Region 3 consisted of RLAF & SGU

commanded by Gen. Nouphet Daoheaung. Military Region 4 consisted of RLAF & SGU and commanded by Gen. Soutchay

Vongsavanh. Military Region 5 had only RLAF and commanded by Gen.Thonglith Chokbengboun.

The Central Intelligence Agency and US Special Forces both supported covert operations in Laos with ground and air operations

Special Guerrilla Units (SGU) were created along the model of Special Forces Special Operation Units. They monitored the Ho ChiMinh trail with Road Watch Teams, and had Commando Raider Teams which would rescue American pilots and call in air strikes

on enemy forces. Ho Chi Minh Trail ran through Military Region 3 and Military Region 4.

During the war the SGU's were advised and paid by CIA and Special Forces officers. In the end, 50,000 Lao soldiers were Killed In

Action; at least 120,000 were wounded, and thousands were Missing In Action. These sacrifices were made combating North

Vietnamese communists and no doubt reduced the number of US casualties tremendously.

In 1973 the US signed the Paris Peace Accords ending our involvement in Southeast Asia. The anti-communists continued thei

fight against the communists infiltrating Laos, Cambodia, and South Vietnam until the war ended in 1975. These battles, weary

soldiers lost support of the USA Congress and the USA people. Several thousand patriots who had fought at the side of the USA

military became prisoners in harsh reeducation camps. Many lucky refugees from Laos were able to escape to the USA and they

have become legal citizens of America.

Even though the war in Laos was called The Secret War, there were 40,000 US service men stationed in Thailand, 600 US Specia

Forces, 20,000 Thai volunteer troops, and 20,000 South Vietnamese troops helped the RLAF & SGU. Those who were on the other

side were 40,000 Pathet Lao, (Lao communist), 50,000 North Vietnamese troops, 10,000 communist Chinese and the Russians.

During the U.S. Secret War, Laos was the most bombed nation on Earth. For nine consecutive years, the U.S. dropped bombs on

Laos, more than all bombs dropped in both WWI and WWII combined.There are half a million people from Laos, from all ethnic groups, living in the USA today. Many are suffering from combat wound

and PTSD's debilitating effects. Yet none are eligible for benefits from the Veterans Administration, including Health Care and

Burial in national cemeteries with military honors.

Khao Insixiengmay Gen. Silac Pathammavong Mathew KukielkaExecutive Director, RLAF & SGU Chief of J1 Member of AUSA

Senior Advisor of Lao-Hmong American Coalition Supreme Command of RLAF Gen. John W.Vessey, Jr. ChapterLife member of US Special Forces Association

Member of the Association of the United States Army Jeff Arnold Mark CarrollMember of American Legion SFA Chapter XX Friend to Lao VeteransVietnam War Veteran