Congressional Panel OKs 2nd Attempt to Repay Vietnamese Commandos

A congressional subcommittee approved $20 million in restitution this week to 281 Vietnamese commandos who had fought for the United States but were left behind in prison at the end of the Vietnam War.

Sponsored by U. S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove), the proposal is intended to undo a bureaucratic snag that stalled payments to the commandos.

The commandos took part in CIA-sponsored missions into North Vietnam and Laos in the 1960s. Many were killed. Most were captured and spent years in captivity, where they endured torture and starvation. Most of the surviving commandos were released in the 1980s, and many have since made their way to the United States. The largest group now lives in Southern California.

Last year, Congress approved $20 million to compensate the commandos for their years in prison. Under the proposal, each commando would receive about $20,000. But the Pentagon balked at making the payments, saying the language used by Congress was too vague.

Sanchez introduced the legislation when she learned of the snag. “They are simply asking for the back pay they earned while imprisoned as POWS,” Sanchez said.

The legislation must still be passed by the full House and the Senate.