The Hmong are a minority group originating from Southeast Asia and China. After 1975, a majority became refugees in North America, Australia, Europe, and South America due to war. From 1961 to 1975, the United States recruited, trained, and financed the Hmong and Lao as surrogate soldiers to contain the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. This initiative became known as the Secret War of Laos. It operated under the US president, Department of State, Department of Defense, and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), with minimal knowledge among Congress and the American public.

Despite Laos being a neutral country in the Vietnam War, the US collaborated with Hmong General Vang Pao and employed CIA advisors to train the Hmong and other ethnic groups for combat. Child soldiers were also utilized in various tasks, including engaging North Vietnam’s army, disrupting military supply routes passing through Laos to South Vietnam, guarding radar installations, rescuing American pilots, and gathering military intelligence. An estimated 30,000 to 40,000 Hmong soldiers lost their lives between 1961 and 1975 in defense of America’s interests in Southeast Asia and Laos’ sovereignty.

In May 1975, as the US withdrew from Laos after the Vietnam War, three planes evacuated high-ranking Hmong military officials from Long Tieng, the headquarters of General Vang Pao and the CIA in Laos. Others had to flee through jungles, crossing into Thailand, where refugee camps were set up. An estimated 50,000 Hmong lost their lives between 1975 and 1985 attempting to escape persecution from the Lao government into Thailand.

Today, over 350,000 Hmong reside in the United States, with Minnesota hosting the largest urbanized Hmong population, totaling over 81,000 individuals. ‘Veterans Voices: The Secret War’ showcases the stories of these veterans.