Organizer: The Library of Congress Asian Division and the Veterans History Project

Type/Location: Hybrid / Washington, D.C.

Description:

The Library of Congress Asian Division and the Veterans History Project will host a hybrid event to commemorate the end of the 50th anniversary year of the Vietnam War: Unveiling Secret War Laos. This panel features Lao Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU)/Royal Lao Army (RLA) veterans alongside former U.S. CIA officers and Army Special Forces who will share firsthand accounts of the covert war fought in Laos—one of the least known theaters of the Vietnam conflict.

This is a rare opportunity to hear powerful stories from those who were on the ground in Laos, as well as from researchers and family members preserving this history. The event includes a Q&A session and is open to the public.

Speakers:

• Lieutenant Touy Thiravong, Lao SGU/RLA, Forward Air Guide & liaison officer

• Major Chanto Vorasarn, Lao SGU/RLA 8th infantry battalion, POW

• Thomas Leo Briggs, CIA case officer who served two years in Laos

• James K. Bruton , U.S. Army Special Forces stationed in Thailand

• Colonel Khao Insixiengmay, Lao SGU/RLA

• Osa Phiangdae Gilstrap, daughter of Lao SGU veteran who passed away before being interviewed

• Susan Boot Caolo, Applied Anthropologist and interviewer

Registration:

To attend the event in person, please click here.

To attend the event online, please register here. The recording will be available for viewing afterwards in the Library of Congress’s Event Videos collection.