Thao and other Lao-Hmong soldiers "were instrumental in saving countless service members' lives in South Vietnam," said Len Leibinger of the state of Montana's Division of Veterans Affairs.
The Hmong people made immense sacrifices in support of Americans during the Vietnam War, he said.
Every July, the U.S. military recognizes select Lao-Hmong veterans. Thao, who lives in Missoula, was among those honored with the Vietnam Veterans National Medal this year.
Lt. Col. Bob Whaley pinned the medal on Thao at Saturday night's ceremony in the Target Range School gymnasium.
"I have the greatest respect for the commitment and sacrifices the Hmong people made in support of the United States in our long fight against communism in Southeast Asia," Whaley said. "Only you can understand what those sacrifices were, because you made them and lived them, ultimately having to experience the tragedy of leaving your own homeland."
When the United States withdrew from South Vietnam in 1975, it also pulled all support for the Lao-Hmong soldiers in Laos.
In the resulting "secret war" in Laos, an estimated 40,000 Hmongs were killed in combat, more than 50,000 wounded and 3,000 remain missing in action, said Moua Chou, a former captain.
Since 1975, more than 100,000 Hmongs have resettled in the United States, including Missoula.
The recognition of Lao-Hmong veterans came about because of the leadership of the Lao-Hmong American Coalition, said Chou, who thanked all those who have helped Hmong families feel at home in Missoula.
"But most of all," he said, "we want to thank the United States of America for not forgetting their most loyal allies, the Lao-Hmong."
Reporter Sherry Devlin can be reached at 523-5268 or at sdevlin@missoulian.com
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