library of congress - Asian division reading room
Ryan Wolfson-Ford with Col. Khao Insixiengmay viewing a familiar RLA photo
On May 9, 2025, U.S. and Lao veterans of the CIA Secret War in Laos visited the Asian Reading Room to view Lao archived materials and the newly established collection "Lao Special Guerrilla Unit and Royal Lao Army Veteran interviews"
conducted by anthropologist, Susan B. Caolo.
Col. Khao Insixiengmay's oral history is included in this collection.
interview with special message - Royal Lao Army Brig. Gen. Soutchay Vongsavanh
This interview includes a special excerpt in Lao from Soutchay Vongsavan. Recorded on March 23, 2023 about his leadership role helping the USArmy and CIA during the Secret War in Laos. At the end of Vietnam War, Soutchay and his family arrived in the USA September 1, 1975. He became an American citizen on December 16, 1982 and began his 33 years serving as an Intelligence Analyst with the Department of Defense for the POW/MIA Office. Soutchay retired from the DOD on July 1st, 2015 as Intelligence Officer with GS 13 and Step 10. Soutchay and his wife, Lily, are very proud of their children: one son serving as a USMC pilot; one daughter who served as a Major in USMC and currently works at the Pentagon; and one daughter who is a professor in California.
Susan Boot Caolo conducted this interview in Chantilly, VA. All materials are accessible at the Library of Congress Asian Division in Washington D.C.
Lt. Col James K. Bruton, U.S. Army Special Forces - Vietnam - Laos - Thailand. lifelong friend of col. Khao insixiengmay after meeting at office training, fort benning, Georgia.
SECRET WAR VETERAN INTERVIEWS COLLECTION ACQUIRED BY THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS - WASHINGTON, D.C.
I am very proud to announce the "Laos Special Guerrilla Unit and Royal Lao Army Veteran Interviews Collection" is now permanently established at the Library of Congress Asian Division.
Interviews, conducted and recorded by Susan Caolo, are donated to the Library of Congress to clarify the historical record of the Secret War in Laos so that current and future generations of Americans will understand the extensive contributions and sacrifices of our Lao allies who served under the U.S. military and CIA against Communist forces during the Vietnam War. By preserving the voices of Lao Americans, we are also honoring the memory of the fallen Lao soldiers who lost their lives during the Laos Secret War.
Touy Tiravong, Secret War in Laos, S.G.U. Captain- Forward Air Guide - Interpreter - Liaison U.S .officers
Interview with Touy Tiravong, Captain. Special Guerrilla Unit (S.G.U.); Forward Air Guide; Interpreter; Liaison to US Army and CIA officers during Secret War in Laos. One year training in U.S. at Ft. Benning, Alabama, Ranked 2nd in Class #8, Lackland AFB - interpreter training.
Interviewed by Susan Caolo, March 23, 2023 in Chantilly, Virginia.
This interview is archived, preserved, and available at the Library of Congress - Asian Division "Lao Spercial Guerrilla Unit & Royal Lao Army Veteran Interview" Collection - in Washington, D.C.
Soutchay Vongsavanh, 32 yrs. Intelligence Analyst with U.S. Department of Defense at Pentagon and retired Brig. Gen. RLA served U.S. during Secret War in Laos / Vietnam War
Complete interview with Soutchay Vongsavahn, Brig. Gen. retired. Royal Lao Army.
Interviewed by Susan Caolo, March 23, 2023 in Chantilly, Virginia. This interview is archived, preserved, and available at the Library of Congress - Asian Division "Lao Spercial Guerrilla Unit & Royal Lao Army Veteran Interview" Collection - in Washington, D.C.
interview - Special Thanks to Tom Briggs, US Army Vietnam Veteran and Central Intelligence Agency operations officer in southern Laos during Secret War
Author of CASH ON DELIVERY: CIA Special Operations During the Secret War in Laos.
Briggs provides his on-the-scene account of the CIA's secret war in southern Laos. Using his 32 years experience in US government, Briggs reviews and analyzes the details of his covert mission to disrupt the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos during one of the most critical periods of the Vietnam War.
Thomas Leo Briggs has provided facts and reliable resources to help me gain a more accurate understanding of the Secret War in Laos and a more effective approach to each related interview. Briggs spent 32 years in government service, U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran, Drug Enforcement Administration special agent and Central Intelligence Agency operations officer. Currently, Briggs serves as President of the COALITION OF ALLIED AFGHAN & VIETNAM WAR VETERANS , a non-profit organization .
Video
1st Lt. Athakhanh with friend, Eli Chavez "Super Mex" USArmy Special Forces, 82nd Airborne Paratrooper
Interview with Manousack "Jimmy" Athakhanh, Special Guerrilla Unit Veteran of the Secret War in Laos / Vietnam War. The support and sacrifice of Laotians who served in the US Army Special Forces (SGU) saved many lives during the Vietnam War. These veterans continue to serve the veteran & civilian community in USA. They deserve the full benefit of a military burial in their respective home states. We hope these interviews will help educate Americans and gain support for this final military burial benefit request. Jimmy Athakhanh's non-profit organization dedicated to helping and supporting ALL veterans and their families.
This interview is archived, preserved, and available at the Library of Congress - Asian Collection - in Washington, D.C.
Colonel Khampeu Nobouphasavanh, Secret War in Laos
Served in Royal Lao Army (RLA) and SGU, Special Guerrilla Unit, trained and supervised by U.S. Army Special Forces and CIA.. Entered active duty at Central Military Training School , Military Region (MR) 5, Vientiane. Last duty assignment and major command: GM-41 LTC. Ting Lavong, Military Region 4, L 11 Pakse
Interviewed by Susan Boot Caolo December 19th, 2023 in Marietta, Georgia. This interview is archived, preserved, and available at the Library of Congress - Asian Division "Lao Spercial Guerrilla Unit & Royal Lao Army Veteran Interview" Collection - in Washington, D.C.
Special thanks to Jaesen Khounthalangsy, President of the Laotian American Society of Georgia, for interpreting assistance.
INTERVIEW with Major, HOUMPHANH "Thom" RATTANAKHON, The Secret War in Laos
Served in C.I.A. SGU, Special Guerrilla Unit from July 1964 - July 1975. Team Leader of Road Watch units. Received Citation for Vietnam War Service in Laos. Birthplace: Ban Noseng Savannakhet Laos.
Houmphanh's CIA Advisor and close friend, "Lion" Williamson continued life-long friendship once they re-connected in the USA.
Interviewed by Susan Boot Caolo, anthropologist | oral historian, July 15, 2023 in Opelika, Alabama for the Library of Congress. This interview is archived, preserved, and available at the Library of Congress - Asian Division "Lao Spercial Guerrilla Unit & Royal Lao Army Veteran Interview" Collection - in Washington, D.C.
Interview: 2nd Lt. KHAMSEUNE SONEPHETH MORROW, Secret War in Laos
Served in SGU, Special Guerrilla Unit from 09/07/1979-05/12/1975. Interviewed by Susan Boot Caolo, anthropologist | oral historian, June 18, 2022 in Marietta,Georgia. This interview is archived, preserved, and available at the Library of Congress - Asian Division "Lao Spercial Guerrilla Unit & Royal Lao Army Veteran Interview" Collection - in Washington, D.C.
Video
2nd Lt. SOMPHET VONGPHAKDY, The Secret War in Laos - Special Guerrilla Unit
SOMPHET VONGPHAKDY served in the CIA Special Guerrilla Unit from 04/06/1967 - 05/12/1975. Interviewed by Susan B. Caolo, anthropologist | oral historian.
This interview is archived, preserved, and accessible at the Library of Congress - Asian Division "Lao Spercial Guerrilla Unit & Royal Lao Army Veteran Interview" Collection - in Washington, D.C.
Interview - LT. BOUA CHANTHABOULY - The Secret War in Laos - Special Guerrilla Unit
Served in SGU, Special Guerrilla Unit from 03/17/1972 - 10/12/1975. Interviewed by Susan Boot Caolo, anthropologist | oral historian, July 16, 2022 in Marietta, Georgia. This interview is archived, preserved, and available at the Library of Congress - Asian Division "Lao Spercial Guerrilla Unit & Royal Lao Army Veteran Interview" Collection - in Washington, D.C.
Interview - SAYTHONG FORD INHKEO - The Secret War in Laos - Special Guerrilla Unit
Served in Laos with Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) led by the C.I.A. / US Army Special Forces during Vietnam War. He was stationed in MR 1 (Military Region) and MR-3. Phouvong served as radio operator and in combat from September 11, 1968 - July 1975.Received Citation for Vietnam War Service in Laos. Birthplace: Ban Noseng Savannakhet Laos.
Interviewed by Susan Boot Caolo, anthropologist | oral historian, July 15, 2023 in Opelika, Alabama for the Library of Congress.
This interview is archived, preserved, and accessible at the Library of Congress - Asian Division "Lao Spercial Guerrilla Unit & Royal Lao Army Veteran Interview" Collection - in Washington, D.C.
Interview - SENGSINGSAY SAYAVONG - The Secret War in Laos - Royal Lao Army - Region One
This was a special interview focused on Sengsingsay' Sayavong's father who was respected leader in the Royal Lao Army. Sengsingsay talks about the cultural and historical background of Laos.
Sengsingsay Sayavong traveled from France to Atlanta , Georgia to attend the Lao SGU Final Slaute Ceremony and Memorial Service honoring Lawrence "Larry" Carey,, USArmy Special Forces in Laos and 3x Purple Heart recipient.
Sengsingsay presented Larry Carey's Royal Lao Army Jump Wings to his son, Kevin Carey,, also USArmy Special Forces, ret.
Interviewed May 18, 2024 in Marietta, Georgia by Susan Boot Caolo, anthropologist | oral historian. This interview is archived, preserved, and accessible at the Library of Congress - Asian Division "Lao Spercial Guerrilla Unit & Royal Lao Army Veteran Interview" Collection - in Washington, D.C.
Also in center of photo, Manousack Athakhanh, Larry Carey's lifelong friend who first met in 1969 on plane headed to Royal Lao Army Jump School training.
Phouvong Xaysombath, Secret War in Laos
Served in Laos with Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) led by the C.I.A. / US Army Special Forces during Vietnam War. He was stationed in MR 1 (Military Region) and MR-3. Phouvong served as radio operator and in combat from September 11, 1968 - July 1975.Received Citation for Vietnam War Service in Laos. Birthplace: Ban Noseng Savannakhet Laos.
Interviewed by S. Caolo July 15, 2023 in Opelika, Alabama for Veterans History Project. This interview is archived, preserved, and available at the Library of Congress - Asian Collection - in Washington, D.C.
Laos SGU FW2681 members - Marietta, GA Support All Veterans
Honoring al Hall WWII veteran-us navy
February 2, 2023, VFW2681 special event honoring the nomination of WWII veteran, Alan Hall, to the Georgia Military Veterans' Hall of Fame. Al Hall was only 17 years old when his US Navy amphibious team landed on the Normandy coast for D-Day. In 2019, Al Hall received France's highest honor, The Legion of Honor.