Vietnam War

The CIA planned Operation Momentum to warn the people in the mountains that Vietnamese were going to take their land. The Hmong people had a legacy of fierce fighters, and they had a passion for independence from the Lao (WPT).

The CIA also secretly contacted our famous military leader, General Vang Pao. The CIA promised food, weapons, and training for his troops. Young men were recruited and formed a guerilla army (WPT).

The guerilla unit was now known as the U.S. secret army. It started at 7000, and grew to 30,000. First the army was made of mature men, and as death rolled along, younger and younger boys joined. Vang Pao had three goals set up for his army: guide U.S. bombing missions, rescue downed U.S. pilots, and block the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The Hmong saved many Americans' lives, but gave up many of their own (WPT).

After many years of the Vietnam War, the world finally found out that the Hmong people were involved (WPT). In 1973, the U.S. bailed out of the war, and took their allies with them back to the United States. Many Hmong stood their ground, while many others evacuated from their homes. They crossed the Mekong River and into refugee camps in Thailand. Then the new communist government, The Lao People's Democratic Republic, took over Laos (WPT).

Vang Pao escaped to Thailand and soldiers who survived reunited with what was left of their families. Those who were left behind sought protection from the Lao regime, and some continued to resist the government (WPT).

Just because the Hmong people were involved in the war, the government saw them as unfriendly and attacked unarmed Hmong civilians (WPT).

Out of 300,000 Hmong in Laos, 30,000 Hmong died due to the war. 10,000 escaped to Thailand and 90,000 Hmong stood on their homeland and suffered the communist government. And until this very day, they are still killing the Hmong people in the jungle (WPT).

On the fourth and fifth pages you will learn more about the aftermath.