1940 - 1945

• During World War II--known by elders in the Hmong community as the Japanese War--the Hmong of Laos were divided into two factions due to internal clan conflicts.

• Most Hmong stayed loyal to the French and the Royal Lao Government; the rest joined the Communist Party, Neo Lao Hak Xat (renamed Pathet Lao).

• The pro-French Hmong showed fierceness against the Japanese by rescuing the king in Luang Prabang, who was being held by Japanese forces while they were extending their reach over Southeast Asia.

• As a result, several Hmong leaders won national political positions. Touby Lyfoung, with his brothers Toulia Lyfoung and Tougeu Lyfoung, were the first successful Hmong politicians in the Lao government.

• Under Touby Lyfoung’s leadership, Hmong assisted and hid French soldiers from the Japanese military.