HEADQUARTERS

UNITED STATES VOLUNTEERS

P.O. Box 21842

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87154-1842

USV SPL ORDER   081104-002                                                                          4 November 2008  

This commendation  is awarded by the Commanding General United States Volunteers to recognize  members of the USV who distinguish oneself and bring great credit upon the USV for their service as follows::

NAME                                  RANK/GRADE      SSN         PERSONNEL ACTION     UNIT

THAO, TONG XAO           CPT (0-3)               0556        Commendation                   MN1 BDE

EFFECTIVE DATE:                          04 November 2008

PERSONNEL ACTION:                  COMMENDATION

AUTHORITY:                                   VOCG, USVRs 600-1 and 101-5

COMMENDATION:                        USV ALLIED FORCES DISTINGUISHED SERVICE RIBBON  This ribbon is awarded by the Commanding General United States Volunteers to members of the USV Allied Forces who served in the military of other countries and nations who fought in support of U.S. Military Forces and who, as members of the USV, have provided outstanding service that reflects great credit upon the USV.

WITH:      VALOR DEVICE - For USV members of the USV Allied Forces who were members of Foreign Military Forces while in combat support of U.S. Military Forces distinguished him or herself by courageous conduct at risk of his or her life or saved the life of another.

WITH:  COMBAT DEVICE - For USV members who are Veterans of Foreign Military Forces and who fought in combat, the USV Allied Forces Service Ribbon will be augmented in addition to the ribbon with the USV Allied Forces Combat Device.

CITATION:            WHEREBY, CAPTAIN TONG XAO THAO of the First Minnesota Brigade of the United States Volunteers served as a Lieutenant of the Royal Laotian Army from January 1962 through May 1975 in the Special Forces Unit under the direction of United States Central Intelligence Agency(CIA).   Captain Thao was wounded two times and saved many of his soldiers during combat.   Captain Thao served the mission to defend the Ho Chi Meng Trail from invading forces of North Viet Nam who sought to overthrow the Republic of South Viet Nam and spread totalitarian Communism throughout Southeast Asia.  By obstructing the North Vietnamese enemy invaders from succeeding with their objectives, Captain Thao was instrumental in disrupting attacks on the South Vietnamese and United States Armies.  Captain Thao lead his Special Forces units to rescue United States Pilots saving the lives of U.S. airman that had been shot down while flying missions defending the DMZ of Laos and Vietnam against the North Vietnamese invaders.

CAPTAIN TONG XAO THAO is hereby commended with the USV ALLIED FORCES DISTINGUISHED SERVICE RIBBON for his illustrious service while serving with the SPECIAL FORCES OF THE U.S. CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY.  While in combat support of the U.S. Military Forces, CAPTAIN THAO distinguished himself with courageous conduct at risk of his own life to save others.  CAPTAIN THAO is hereby honored posthumously for having consistently set an example of service and performance of duty well beyond the standard having served as an example to the Troopers of the USV FIRST MINNESOTA BRIGADE as a Patriot of freedom.

FORMAT: 306 (Commendation)

BY ORDER OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL

DISTRIBUTION:                                                        DONALD K. ARNOLD

“Special”                                                                      Colonel, DCoS G-1 HQ

                                                                                     United States Volunteers – America, Inc.

USV G-1 Order # 081104-002