Va H. Vang
Era: Vietnam
Military Branch: Army
Va was born in Xieng Khouang, Laos.
He is a Hmong veteran who served in Special Forces in the secret war in Laos from 1972-1975. He completed the 7th grade in 1971 and joined the army in 1972. He was made first lieutenant after an initial 20-week training in Thailand.
His primary responsibility was to rescue downed American pilots along the border of Laos and Vietnam. He also was involved in cutting enemy supply lines along the Ho Chi Minh trail.
In 1975 he was transported by U.S. plane back to Thailand and then a year later moved to the United States.
