 
"Lieutenant Colonel Peter C. Vang "
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Vang the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Xia Chong Vang, was born on April 5, 1936 in Laos. He is married to May Yang,daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Myno Yang.
They have five children and nine grandchildren.
Lt. Colonel Peter C. Vang was one of the first
Hmong pilots of the Royal Lao Air Forces in Laos
during the Vietnam War (1960-1975).
In 1962 – 63, Lt. Col. Vang first flew the “Code Sign General Directions” guiding “Air America and Bird
& Son Air” under the supervision of the CIA Chief, Colonel Bill Lair. Then, he was assigned to fly with “B-Team” or T-28 (rocket bomber) as a “Back-Seater”.
In late 1964, he went back for training in Udorn, Thailand, to fly the “Spotter” light planes and to fly
as a “Back-
Seater” for the “Sky Raider” planes.
In late 1966, he was assigned to fly with the U.S. Air Forces renowned Ravens as a “Back-Seater”
(secretly to be eliminated).
In 1968, while on a combat mission, Col. Vang came under heavy communist anti-aircraft fire. He was seriously injured and his right hand became disabled.
As a result of his injury, Col. Vang was honorably discharged from the Royal Lao Air Forces in 1969.
He was then assigned to Chief of Joint Operations Center (J.O.C) until May of 1975.
At the height of the U.S. withdrawal, Col. Vang was
the last Hmong pilot to fly General Vang Pao’s
personal plane Cessna 185 out of Laos to Udorn, Thailand, on May 13, 1975.
During his dedicated service with the Lao, Hmong
and U.S. Air Force pilots, Col. Vang became a
personal friend (brothers-in-arms) of Captain Fred
Platt and Brigadier General Arthur Cornelius (Ravens),USAF, Ret. He was also one of
General Vang Pao’s most trusted confidants.
In 1976, Col.Vang, immigrated to the United States with his family wife, five children, his mother, sister, and nephew and settled in Orange County, CA.
In 1977 Col. Vang along with a few others founded
and established Lao Family Community Inc.
in Orange County.
In May 1977, Col. Vang and his family moved to Planada, Ca. and became the first Hmong
family in the area.
In 1979, Col. Vang and his family moved to
Missoula, Montana, where he established
Lao Family Community Inc.
In 1982, he established Lao Family Community Inc.
in Spokane, WA.
In 1984, he returned to Merced, CA with his family
and established Lao Family Community Inc. and became its first Project Director.
On July 22, 1995, Col. Vang received a Vietnam Veterans National Medal from Congressman Daniel Shaffer in Golden, Colorado which is the first time
the United States officially recognized the
Hmong for their patriotic services.
On July 22, 2000, he received the Heroism Medal from The Raven, China Post in Westminster, Colorado.
The Vang family would like to thank everyone that joined us in celebrating and reflecting on the remarkable life of our father. We sincerely
appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness.
Thank you so much for your profound
friendship and mutual assistance.
The Vang Family
Midi Song
" Morning Light "
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