Vang Sue
Major Vang Sue (Su, Seu) (also transliterated as Vaj Xwm) (January 30, 1945 – October 18, 1972) was a Laotian Hmong fighter pilot. Recipient of the USAF Distinguished Flying Cross. He flew over 4,000 combat missions as a T-28 bomber pilot.[1] Vang trained briefly with Hmong fighter ace Lee Lue before Lee was shot down and became General Vang Pao's preeminent pilot after Lee's death. He frequently flew 15 days consecutively, and often as much as 15 sorties in a day. Renowned for his daring and bombing accuracy, Vang was shot down by anti-aircraft guns and killed in October 18, 1972.
Vang Sue | |
|---|---|
 Major Vang Su | |
| Born | January 30, 1945 Xieng Khouang, Laos |
| Died | October 18, 1972 (aged 27) KIA Laos |
| Allegiance | Kingdom of Laos |
| Service/ | Royal Lao Air Force |
| Years of service | 1965–1972 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | Special Unit based at LS-20A, Long Tieng, Laos |
| Commands held | T-28 fighter bomber squadron |
| Battles/wars |
|
| Awards | |
Biography
Vang Sue was born on 30 January 1945, in Xieng Khouang, Laos to KiaPao Vang (father) and Ying Xiong (mother). He married a school teacher, May A. Yang, in 1967 and together they had four children. Vang Sue joined the Royal Lao Air Force He ranks as Wing Leader.
See also
Further reading
- Air America by Christopher Robbins
- The Ravens, Pilots of the Secret War in Laos by Christopher Robbins
References
