Vang Pao

Vang Pao was 14 when he started helping out in the wars. His first time was during the invasion of the Japanese into Laos, and he was too young to be able to join the as a guerrilla. In a matter of time Vang Pao was then sent to a school and learned foreign language at ease and he also became a courier. Then the Japanese found out that he was in the process with the French in retaking the lost city Xeing Khouang (Quincy, 164).

"He was able to join with the marquis in late 1947 and he was promoted to corporal in March of 1948. After two years he was then promoted to adjutant in October of 1950. If he had been promoted up more he would have reached the rank of Commissioned officer (Quincy, 164).

Vang Pao was in charge of the 14 th Artillery as second lieutenant. He was positioned on the west side of Luang Prabang province close to the strong hold of the enemy in Sam Neua. After the news of the down fall of the post of the Laotians and French that were positioned, only 300 made it to Muong Hiem post. News came to Muong Hiem to evacuate, because Vientiane learned that the Vietminh had sent 15 battalions to make a major assault on the post. The news came too late, for the Vietminh troops were already swarming over the hills to make the attack. At nightfall Vang Pao ordered that the dinner was to be sounded, torches put around and to evacuate the whole town and all supplies they are able to bring. When they saw that they could not carry all of the supplies they set a fuse and all of the supplies exploded, while the people and the 14 th artillery with those from the Sam Neua past were escaping (Quincy, 168).