Commemorating the Sacrifices: Honoring United States and Allied Veterans of the Vietnam and Afghan Wars
The Coalition of Allied Afghan & Vietnam War Veterans (CAVWV) stands as a testament to the enduring bonds forged in conflict. We gather not only to remember the valor of American service members but also the profound contributions and immense sufferings of our allies from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Afghanistan. This article honors those who stood shoulder-to-shoulder against tyranny, many of whom paid with years of captivity, unimaginable hardship, or their lives. Their stories remind us that freedom's price is often borne by the forgotten warriors.
The Courage of Vietnamese Commandos in Plan 34 MissionsAmong the unsung heroes of the Vietnam War were the South Vietnamese commandos who undertook highly dangerous missions under Operation Plan 34A (also known as OPLAN 34-Alpha). These operations, supported initially by the CIA and later by U.S. forces, involved infiltration into North Vietnam for reconnaissance, sabotage, and psychological warfare. Many teams faced near-certain capture due to compromised intelligence and enemy penetration.
We specifically honor Tran Van Quy and Thien Haong, who participated in these perilous missions. Captured by North Vietnamese forces, they endured brutal imprisonment—Tran Van Quy for approximately 13 years and Thien Haong for 19 years. Like hundreds of other commandos, they suffered torture, isolation, and betrayal after being sent on missions with limited support. Their resilience exemplifies the bravery of those who risked everything for the cause of a free South Vietnam. Many such commandos were disavowed or forgotten after the fall of Saigon, yet their service remains a vital chapter in the allied effort.
The Hanoi Hilton and American POWsU.S. soldiers captured in North Vietnam faced their own hell at Hỏa Lò Prison, infamously known to Americans as the "Hanoi Hilton." Conditions were dire: meager rations, unsanitary facilities, and systematic torture. The first U.S. POW there was Lt. j.g. Everett Alvarez Jr. in 1964. Hundreds more followed, including notable figures like John McCain. Prisoners endured years of isolation, beatings, and propaganda, with many held until Operation Homecoming in 1973 released 591 POWs.
These men demonstrated extraordinary courage and camaraderie, maintaining morale through codes, faith, and defiance. Their stories, alongside those of allied commandos, highlight the shared burden of the conflict.
Cambodian Victims of the Khmer RougeThe Vietnam War era's horrors extended deeply into Cambodia. After the Khmer Rouge seized power in 1975, they unleashed a genocidal regime under Pol Pot, imprisoning, torturing, and murdering millions in pursuit of a radical agrarian utopia. At the notorious S-21 (Tuol Sleng) prison in Phnom Penh, over 18,000 people were interrogated and executed, with bodies often taken to the Choeung Ek Killing Fields. Estimates place the death toll from execution, starvation, disease, and forced labor at around 1.7 million—nearly a quarter of Cambodia's population.
CAVWV honors the Cambodian allies and civilians who suffered this unimaginable tragedy, including Khmer Republic Navy veterans and survivors like board member Hoeun Hach, a Prisoner of War and Genocide Survivor. Their resilience in the face of such evil demands our remembrance and advocacy.
The Plight of Lowland Lao PrisonersIn Laos, the "Secret War" saw Hmong and Lowland Lao fighters, often in Special Guerrilla Units, battling alongside U.S. forces against the Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese. After the communist takeover in 1975, thousands of Lowland Lao and other anti-communist fighters were rounded up into harsh re-education camps. Conditions involved forced labor, minimal food and medicine, overcrowding, disease, and executions for escape attempts. Reports from the era described tens of thousands held under brutal circumstances, with high death rates.
CAVWV board members like Charles Poe Hang and Ananh 'Lee' Saenvilay, veterans of the Royal Lao Armed Forces and Special Guerrilla Units, represent this community's ongoing fight for recognition.
Afghan Allies: Imprisoned, Missing, and PersecutedThe sacrifices of the Vietnam era echo in Afghanistan. After the U.S. withdrawal in 2021, many Afghan interpreters, translators, commandos, and supporters of coalition forces faced Taliban retribution. Despite amnesty promises, reports document targeted killings, torture, arbitrary detentions, and disappearances. Afghan allies remain in limbo in third countries, imprisoned, or missing, with families living in fear.
CAVWV has actively assisted these allies, extending the organization's mission to include them as part of our coalition. Their service in Operation Enduring Freedom must not be forgotten.
A Shared Legacy of Honor and RemembranceFrom the jungles of Southeast Asia to the mountains of Afghanistan, these warriors—American, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Lao, Afghan, and others—embodied courage against communism and terrorism. Many were left behind, captured, or abandoned to harsh fates. The CAVWV's mission is to preserve their history, provide fellowship, and advocate for recognition, support for PTSD and related traumas, and justice for the forgotten.
As we commemorate their service, let us commit to never forgetting. Their sacrifices secured freedoms we cherish and remind us of the human cost of alliances. To our veterans and allies: thank you. Your stories endure, and your legacy inspires.
Opperation CEO,
Justin Lehew, The Long Road Story
