Another great warrior of the 20th Century passes away (1 Viewer)

[jules118]

Unfortunately probably too obscure even for a "Collectors Club" figure. Legendary Lao general Vang Pao, who led the CIA funded Hmong army in Laos, interdicting Pathet Lao and NVA supply routes and rescued downed American aviators passed away this week aged 81. He fought the Japanese, Viet Minh, North Vietnamese and Pathet Lao forces in a career that spanned over three decades, most of which was on operations.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/215008/secret-army-leader-vang-pao-dies-in-us

 

[Northgate Woods]

Jules mate,
Interesting article. It brings a new meaning to word "patriot". Even after leaving the War zone he was still looking after his fellow countrymen and women.
Cheers Howard

 

[jules118]

Jules mate,
Interesting article. It brings a new meaning to word "patriot". Even after leaving the War zone he was still looking after his fellow countrymen and women.
Cheers Howard

Yeah. When the Thais forcibly repatriated all the Hmong refugees back into Laos (many of whom have subsequently 'disappeared') in late 2009 he offered himself to the Lao Government in exchange for their safety and possibly safe passage back out of Laos. Knowing the Lao governments attitude to the Hmong (I have been one of the very few Westerners who had managed to sneak into the Xaisomboum Special Exclusion Zone when they were being hunted down as 'bandits') this would no doubt have meant certain death for him. The Lao government declined the terms of his offer.