Category: Civilian Leaders

U.S CIA’S SPECIAL GUERILLA UNITS (SGU) – Morse Code Operator-Lieutenant

Lt. Chong Soua Vue (Vu, Sou), retired, was a Morse Code Radio Operator in the CIA’s
Special Guerilla Unit (SGU) during the Secret War of Laos. He was born on September 13, 1945, in the
village of Thab Taj, Moung Nya, Laos, in the year the Japanese lost control of Indochina. His father, Pa Cheng Vue, Putong of Xa Nya (1953-1960) was a well-known and skilled silversmith, a masterful bambooreed pipe, Qeej, player, and a renowned Txiv Xaiv singer at funerals. He married Yia Vang, oldestdaughter of Col. Waseng Vang of Military Region 2, SGU. He had five brothers (Capt. Soua Ying Vue, Maj.

Wa Khue Vue, Capt. Xai Pao Vue, and Xai Doua Vue), two sisters (Khou Vue and Mao Vue), two step-brothers (Jer Blianeng Vue and Tong Seng Vue), and four step-sisters (Mee Vue, Choo Vue, Jou Vue, and Yer Vue).

On January 29, 1961, he was among the 500 Hmong soldiers selected to receive Intensive military
training by American military operatives in Huahin, Songkhla Province, Thailand. After completing
training, he returned to Vientiane, Laos on June 30, 1962. On October 16, 1962, he was assigned to
station in Moung Nya with Team #22. On October 17, 1964, he was transferred to Long Cheng, the
military headquarter of General Vang Pao’s SGU army when the 1260m-long runway was completed. In
1968, he took an assignment in Phu Xem near Fong Sa Li where he nearly lost his life in a heavily fought
battlefield. After the signing of the Vientiane Agreement in September 1973 giving the communist
control of Laos, he returned to civilian life and settled in Roob Vaub Kib (Turtle Hill). After his father
passed away on May 17, 1974, his father-in-law, Col. Waseng Vang recruited him back to work in Long
Cheng. On May 14, 1975, the United States abandoned the Hmong people and the SGU men and their
families fled Laos or went into hiding to avoid persecution. He and his family went into hiding in the
jungle of Laos for 3 years and continued to fight communist Laos. Starved and losing hope, he escaped
with his family to Thailand on December 30, 1977 and were placed in the United Nation’s temporary
refugee placement site. On February 8, 1978, he and his family were transferred to Nong Khai Refugee
Camp. On February 14, 1979, he and his family Immigrated to the United States. He lived with his family
in Dallas, Texas (2/14/79 – 8/15/79); Lawton, Oklahoma (8/16/79 – 6/24/81); Tulsa, Oklahoma (6/24/81
– 9/1/85); Lacrosse/West Salem, Wisconsin (9/1/85 – 10/01/16); and Maplewood, Minnesota (10/01/16
– 06/10/2018).
He and his wife have 43 children and grandchildren. Their children are: (1) Xe Vue and Pastor
Phengzoo Lee, (2) Attorney Chue Vue, (3) Attorney Fue Vue and Qe Yang, (4) Koua Vue and Nao Lee, (5)
Sy Vue and Pao Leepalao, (6) Coua Vue and Ger Lor, (7) Maria Vue and Mark Vang, and (8) Amy Vue.

Lt. Colonel Chong Koua Vue was born on February 14, 1932, in Kong Kah Chaoh, Kha Mouah Province, Laos. In 1955, Chong Koua was appointed Taseng of Thamta,
Mouang Nyat.

His career in the military emerged in 1956 when he was a lone civilian leader (Taseng) who’ve fought and prevented the Pathet Lao-Communist from intruding into the village where he served. The Lao government heard of his bravely and honored him with a medal of honor. In 1958, as the war spread to all part of Laos, the Lao government created a special military group called, MA-KEE 1001 (ADC Military Group) which required the region to be headed by Taseng Chong Koua. This special unit was operated under the direction of Colonel Vang Pao of Region 2. In 1961, while still in his military capacity, he was promoted to Naikong to oversee Mouang Mok, Mouang Nyat, Naj Xoom, Naj kiam, Naj Kees and XamXauj.

In 1967, Chong Koua was promoted to Lieutenant, commander of Battalion 205. That same year, he was chosen to attend a special military and leadership strategic training in Long Cheng.

Upon returned, he was promoted to Captain in 1968, and then to Major (Commandant) in 1970, overseeing GM 25, Lima Site 360. It was at this time that General Vang Pao changed the name ADC to SGU (Special Guerilla Unit).

And in 1972, Chong Koua was promoted Lieutenant Colonel, overseeing Naj Hiab, Lima Site 360. Battalion 209.

In 1967, Chong Koua was promoted to Lieutenant, commander of Battalion 205. That same year, he was chosen to attend a special military and leadership strategic training in Long Cheng. Upon returned, he was promoted to Captain in 1968, and then to Major (Commandant) in 1970, overseeing GM 25, Lima Site 360. It was at this time that General Vang Pao changed the name ADC to SGU (Special Guerilla Unit). And in 1972, Chong Koua was promoted Lieutenant Colonel, overseeing Naj Hiab, Lima Site 360. Battalion 209. Lt. Chong Koua was assassinated on November 16th, 1974. in Long Cheng, in a dispute over power.

Vue Mai was born on February 2, 1936, in Xiangkhouang province. His father is Chong Neng Vue, a well-respected leader of the Vue clan who passed away in the early 1980s at Ban Vinai refugee camp in Thailand. Vue Mai was the only son and had one younger sister who passed away in the late 1990s here in the United States. He married two wives. His first wife was Mo Plia Lee, and his second was Chao Lee. He had a total of seven boys and one girl combined. His first wife passed away in 1998, and three of the oldest sons also passed away. Those still living are his second wife, four of his younger sons, and a daughter.

As a teenager, he served as a Lieutenant in the Royal Lao Armed Forces from 1957 to 1961. By 1962, he was ranked as a Major, commanding the battalion 2^nd BV 21-2 unit for the Royal Lao Armed Forces and CIA’s Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU). During the Vietnam War, he was among the Hmong who fought in a CIA-supported army against the communists alongside General Vang Pao. He was a respected leader of the Hmong resistance. Many of the Hmong leaders in the United States said Vue Mai knew all the key players inside and outside Laos.

After the war ended in 1975, he and his family escaped to Thailand and settled in Ban Vinai refugee camp. By 1978, he became the Ban Vinai refugee camp leader and served until it was closed down in 1992. In 1979, his second wife, Chao Lee, and three of his younger children came to live in the United States. Later, in 1985, his first wife and the rest of his children also settled in the United States. As a refugee camp leader, he had the privilege of visiting his family in the United States many times, with his last visit to the United States in 1991.

In 1992, he was given two options: one, he could resettle in the United States, reuniting with his family, or two, he could set an example for the Hmong refugees by leading them back to Laos. Before making his decision, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and U.S. State Department officials met with him regularly, encouraging him to return and assuring him of his safety. Vue Mai felt he would be neglecting his greater duties as a Hmong leader if he didn’t return. He sincerely had faith in the UNHCR repatriation program. Then, in November 1992, he repatriated to Laos. While in Laos, he limited his contacts to only a handful of Lao government and UNHCR officials. He kept a distance from other visitors, knowing that the Lao government was closely monitoring him. The following year, on September 11, 1993, he disappeared. No one knew what happened to Vue Mai. He was an astonishing leader, committed to his people and duties. He had shown outstanding leadership during the war and a time when his people needed him the most in the refugee camp. His spirit and determination live on in the Hmong people’s hearts.

Credit to former VNA President Adam Vue and his Administration

Naiskoo Nhia Pao was a gifted and remarkable man who touched and inspired each individual he interacted with throughout his life. Whether with his family, relatives, fellow soldiers, villagers, clan leaders, or political leaders, in each interaction, he displayed love, humbleness, and sincerity for the well-being of everyone around him. Naiskoo Nhia Pao was born on June 10, 1915 and grew up in Havtais, Xeev Khuam, Laos. At a young age, Nhia Pao was thrust into war by patrolling the northern Plain of Jars region alongside General Vang Pao. In 1952, he was elected and served as Phubtoom of Havtias. He eventually was elected and served as a Toj Xeem Phuv Xam between 1960-64. In 1962, he and his family moved to live in Bouam Long. In 1964, Nhia Pov was elected Naiskoo of Bouam Long, a position he held until the war’s end in 1975. In 1960, Naiskoo Nhia Pao was one of a few men who strategically selected Bouam Long, a massif, and fortified it as a safe haven for surrounding small villages like Havtias. The goal was to secure a safe sanctuary for relocating Hmong villagers during the war. Bouam Long, also known as Lima Site 32, became an important stronghold base camp during the “Secret War,” where some of the most epic battles took place-preventing the domino theory fall of Laos where the North Vietnamese needed to seize and secure Bouam Long first, in order to advance to Long Cheng, Vientiane, and eventually Thailand. Under siege, Bouam Long was lit up as aircrafts dropped night flares to prevent night attacks from the North Vietnamese. Naiskoo Nhia Pao’s aircraft was once shot down, but he was rescued before being captured. Under Naiskoo Nhia Pao’s leadership, Bouam Long became a fortress for the US and its allies from 1960 to 1975 as it consistently prevailed in every attack staged by the North Vietnamese and only fell when the US pulled out of the war. Despite his fearless leadership, Naiskoo Nhia Pao often credited his survival and successes as “muaj moo” and praised his soldiers for their bravery and unrelenting commitment to ensuring his safety and the safety of the Hmong villagers and other soldiers. In 1975, Naiskoo Nhia Pao sought refuge in Thailand and eventually resettled in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, in 1980 as a political refugee. In the United States, he continued to lead by serving as an advisor and board member of the Hmong American Partnership. He participated frequently in community dialogue, cultural practices, and mediation to address external and internal challenges within the Hmong community. Naiskoo Nhia Pao became a US citizen in 1989. Naiskoo Nhia Pao played a significant role in stopping and containing the communist movement in Laos. His intellect and actions saved countless lives and gave many hope and safety in the war’s darkest hours. He often engaged in servant leadership and shared his perspective that leaders must “hlub txhua leej txhua tus sib npaug. Yuav tsum hlub tus hlob tus yau, tus tub tus ntxhais, tus mauj tus pluag, tus ntse tus ruam.” He believed that “ib leeg txawj ib yam ces peb sawvdaws muaj nuj nqi ib yam, “Naiskoo Nhia Pao Vue. Naiskoo Nhia Pao breathed experiences, wisdom, love, and perseverance. His stories, calmness, and laughter reminded us that the measurement of life is the strength of family. He truly was a KEEPER OF VISIONS, A GUARDIAN OF HOPE.

Credit to President Adam Vue and Fim Long Vue