135. Information Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Green) to Secretary of State Rusk1
SUBJECT
- United States Military Personnel in Laos and their activities
Since the Pathet Lao attacks against the Neutralists in April 1963, our service Attaches in Laos have been authorized to become increasingly involved in activities which go beyond those normally carried out by Attaches, approaching a military advisory role. In the summer of 1963 we increased the size of our Attaché staffs (this applies to the Army and Air Force, since the Naval Attaches are resident in Bangkok). Again this past summer, because of Pathet Lao attacks on the PDJ in May, we increased the number of United States military personnel in Laos in connection with the defense of Muong Soui and to support Operation Triangle. Most of these temporary personnel have since been withdrawn. However, USAF personnel engaged in support of T–28 activities still operate in Laos.
Most of the army and air personnel mentioned above carry the title of Assistant Army or Assistant Air Attaché. They are so notified to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when they enter Laos, although not all of their names appear on the diplomatic list. We understand that although there is a general awareness in the Vientiane community, including the diplomatic and foreign press corps, that there is a larger number of United States military Attaches in Laos at present than before May 1964, the exact number is not known to them. It is quite possible that, in the event of any ICC investigation of Communist charges alleging a United States military presence in Laos in violation of the Geneva Agreements, there might be witnesses who could testify about the participation of United States personnel in military operations, particularly around Muong Soui. You have recently signed a telegram to Embassy Vientiane stating our basic position in such a contingency.
A summary of the numbers and status of United States military personnel now in Laos follows:
Army Attaché Office
Authorized complement—nine officers, one warrant officer and approximately 28 enlisted men. In addition to normal attaché duties, [Page 278] these personnel travel throughout RLG-held areas consulting with, advising and, to some extent, training Lao military forces. One officer is stationed at Muong Soui.
Eight additional officers were introduced on a temporary duty basis in connection with the defense of Muong Soui and Operation Triangle. All but one of these have departed Laos. A further temporary augmentation was authorized recently but has not yet taken place. This provides for a team of six officers to form a mobile training team for a period of twelve weeks. One of the main purposes of this program is to build up a corps of United States officers with Lao experience who would be available in the event of another emergency requiring direct United States involvement.
Air Attaché Office
Authorized complement—three officers, one of which is stationed at Savannakhet with the RLAF.
In addition, there are five (previously nine) officers on temporary duty as Assistant Air Attaches assisting in T–28 activities. Some 25 USAF ground personnel in civilian clothes arm and service the T–28’s at Vientiane airfield but return to Udorn, Thailand, every night.
Naval Attaché Office
Although resident in Bangkok, these three officers make periodic visits to Laos. One of them (Marine) assisted in artillery training during one of his visits to Muong Soui last summer.
Others
A JUSMAG advisor accompanied the Thai group to Muong Soui but it is not clear whether he is still there. Other military personnel have been permitted to enter Laos on a selective and controlled basis during recent months, with Ambassador Unger’s approval, but great care is taken to keep these visits as inconspicuous as possible.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 19–2 US–LAOS. Top Secret. Drafted by Barbis and cleared by Trueheart. A note on the memorandum indicates that Rusk saw it.↩