Friday, January 7, 2011

Former Hmong General Who Became A Hero During The Vietnam War Passed Away In California

Vang Pao

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 7, 2011

Fresno, CA - On Thursday, Hmong community Leader Nai Phoo Vaj Pov known as General Vang Pao, 81, passed away at Clovis Community Medical Center from complications with pneumonia in Fresno. Pao became sick after participating in several Hmong festivals in California and had been sick for ten days, according to family members.
Pao during his life in the U.S. was considered a hero among the Hmong community in the country. At the time of his death, he fathered 32 children.
Pao's family are planning a day long celebration of his life and are considering to take Pao's body to Minnesota for viewing by the Hmong community.
Pao allowed time by traveling around the country to participate in lectures, traditional Hmong fesitivals, rites and marriage counseling.
During the Vietnam war, Pao led Hmong guerrillas backed by the U.S. CIA against the communists trying to control Laos. But in 1975, the communists finally took over Laos and thousands of Hmong refugees fled Laos.
The U.S. was able to relocate tens of thousands of Hmong refugees in California, Wisconsin, Oklahoma and Minnesota for their help in fighting communists.
Pao had been accused of ordering the executions of his own men, political adversaries, and prisoners of war in several published articles.
In 2007, Pao was charged in federal court along with 12 men for conspiraring to over throw the Lao communist government, but charges against him were later dismissed on September 18, 2009.

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