Learn About General Vang Pao's Role in the CIA's 'Secret War'
Classified until recent history, the clandestine operation unfolded in neighboring Laos during the Vietnam War. General Pao played a major role.
In order to stop what many US politicians believed would be a domino effect of communism that would wash over Southeast Asia, the CIA's Colonel Bill Lair was sent to Laos to train Hmong soldiers to fight against the North Vietnamese army. Col. Lair found a powerful partner in General Vang Pao of the Royal Lao Army, who would help the CIA recruit soldiers to fight in special guerrilla forces.
To learn more about the CIA’s efforts to stop the spread of communism deeper into Southeast Asia, and the amazing firsthand stories of sacrifice and bravery of the Hmong men and women who served in the operation, watch the full-length documentary America’s Secret War.
This story is part of the collection The Call to Serve: Stories of Sacrifice, War and the Way Home, which was funded by the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation.
