Cher Kao Thao

Captain Cher Kao Thao
passed away at UAMS Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas on March 19, 2023. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Cher Kao was Company 5 Commander, Battalion 222, and front-line leader 14011Company Commander. During the war, he sustained three injuries that occurred on the Ho-Chi-Minh Trail #6. His firstinjury was in the line of fire on February 5, 1965. His second injury was in the line of fire on July10, 1967. His third injury was in the line of fire on April 9, 1972. His decorations include thePurple Heart medal citation, Vietnam Veterans National Medal, and citation from the Congressand Lao-Hmong Veteran Award.
Early Life
Cher Kao Thao was born on January 2, 1936 in Ban Pakha, Muang Sam Neua, Houa Phanh, Laos. The passing of his parents, Tong Pao Thao and Kia Lee, and one brother, Tasseng Vang Thao, preceded his death. His surviving siblings are Lia Thao, Her Thao, Ying Thao, Sia Thao, Mee Thao, and Xai Thao. Cher Kao grew up in Ban Pakha (Zos Hav Pos) village with his seven siblings and half-sister. He lived a simple country lifestyle raising livestock and farming with his parents. Cher Kao was well liked and respected by his peers and community members. He only attended school for three days. He later taught himself how to read and write in Laotian.
His Family
In the 1950s, he married his wife, Pa Lee. Over the course of their seventy years of marriage, they raised eight children, five sons and three daughters. His sons Seng Thao and Kao Thao's passing preceded his death. He is survived by his wife and his children: Dr. Lyfue Thao of Hensley, Arkansas, Vaj Xeem Thao of Ardmore, Alabama, Neng Thao of Sheridan, Arkansas, and Kou Thao of Ardmore, Alabama, Sha Her of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Chia Vang of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and Yer Thao of Thornton, Colorado. He is also survived by his twenty-three grandchildren: Bee Thao, Chengmeng Thao, Toupheng Thao, Patshia Thao, Abie Vang, Demiann Vang, Michael Vang, Amanda Vang, Darling Vang, Melynda Vang, Joe Her, Sou Her, Sunshine Her, Alex Her, Nancy Thao, Samantha Thao, Isaac Thao, Eliyahu Thao, Alexia Lor, Annex Lor, Samuel Lor, Tasha Thao, and NaviDara Thao. Furthermore, he is survived by his five great grandchildren Ryu Lor, Channing Yang, PengXue Chang, PaYing Chang, and Automne Thao.
Life During the War
At age 15, he worked as a mail carrier for his two uncles, Nai Kong Chia Moua and Commander Xai Chue, during the French departure from Indochina when the fighting broke out between the Pathet Lao Army and the Royal Lao Army. In April 1962, his uncle, Commander Xai Chue, was hit by a land mine and got wounded in action during patrolling Phou Pao/Phou Ngoua and died a week later. In the same month, tragedy continued to afflict the family when his uncle, Nai Kong Chia Moua, was pronounced dead in Ban Patong while on his journey to Hong Nong base. In 1962, he volunteered to serve his country in the army and began training in Hong Nong base by the Thai PARU to become proficient in artillery and completed 155MM Howitzers, M1/M2 Garand rifles, M1 Carbines, 57MM, and M18A1 Reconciles Rifles officer and trainer. After the death of his uncles, Commander Xai Chue and Nai Kong Chia Moua, Vang Thao was appointed to take over Commander Xai Chue responsibilities for a short time in 1964. Tasseng Moua Sue soon became Company Commander at Phou Pao/Phou Ngoua base for only a short time 1964 and Vang Thao became Tasseng Pakha. Cher Kao was appointed to succeed the commander of division 14011 and oversaw Phou Pao/Phou Ngoua Base. In 1967-68, he was later transferred to Phahang base. In 1968, he received military Commander and Leadership training in Muang Cha base. In 1972, he received military leadership training again at Namphong Based in Thailand where he was promoted to the rank of Captain for GM26 at the beginning of 1973. At the same time, the Pathet Lao announced it was willing to negotiate a peace settlement with the Royal Lao in September 1972. The Pathet Lao and the Royal Lao went into peace negotiations in Vientiane Capital in October 1972. On May 14, 1975, General Vang Pao, many of his officers, and their families were airlifted from Long Cheng to Thailand. In June 30, 1975, the United States aid office in Vientiane Capital finally closed and thus ending the U.S. involvement in Laos. In 1976, the Lao People Democratic Republic (LPDR) and People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) began the use of chemical-biological toxin warfare against the Hmong in Laos due to their involvement in the war. In 1979, after the Pathet Lao broke the peace treaty with the Royal Lao Government, Cher Kao Thao and his family were hiding in the jungles of Laos and had to flee across the Mekong River to seek refuge in the Thailand Ban Vinai Refugee Camp.
Life in the United States
In May 1980, Cher Kao Thao and his family immigrated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Cher Kao Thao worked as a machine operator for Helwig Carbon Product Company for 22 years and retired from the company in October 2001. He was a man of Catholic faith and attended the St. Michael parish in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, St. Theresa Catholic Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, and the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Sheridan, Arkansas. In retirement, Cher Kao Thao and his family moved to Hensley, Arkansas, and later moved to live with his son in Sheridan, Arkansas. He enjoyed growing rice and raising small livestock. He loved spending time with his family and could be seen riding his tractor. He will be laid to rest at Rosemont Cemetery in Benton, Arkansas.
Thank You!
Cher Kao Thao's children, grandchildren, and family from near and far would like to express their sincere gratitude for your love, support, encouragement, flowers, monetary gifts, drinks, food, and your valuable time that you have contributed to us in our time of loss. May our Heavenly Father bless each one of you for your generosity. We will never forget your generous acts of kindness and we hope to forward those blessings to others. We request that if you ever need any of us, please do not hesitate to let us know.
Lus ua tsuag!
Peb tsev xyom cuab muaj lus ua tsaug ntau rau ib tsoom kwv tij neej tsa txhua leej txhua tus uas nej tau tuaj pab peb hlub tshua txog peb txiv "Txhawj Kaub Thoj" ua zaum kawg. Nej lub txiaj ntsha peb tsev xyom cuab yuav nqa, nej lub txiaj ntsig peb tsev xyom cuab yuav ris. Hnub qab nram lub ntsis yog nej tsis vam txog peb tsev xyom cuab los tseg, nej vam txog peb tsev xyom cuab peb yuav pab nej ib yam li nej twb tau pab peb lawm thiab. Thov Huab Tais Tswv Ntuj foom koob hmoov rau nej kom nej tau txais koob hmoov npluas mias.