Galen Beery Legacy Exhibit

Pop Buell

Edgar M. "Pop" Buell, born on April 26, 1913, in Steuben County, Indiana, led a life of serving humanity. A humble farmer until the age of 47, Buell's journey took an extraordinary turn following the tragic death of his wife in 1958. He embraced a new calling with International Voluntary Services (IVS), a precursor to the Peace Corps, becoming an agricultural adviser in Laos (Benson, 2016).

In 1960, Buell left Indiana for an orientation course in Washington, D.C., before embarking on a journey to Laos—his first venture outside the United States. His assignment placed him in a small village approximately 100 miles north of Vientiane, on the Plain of Jars, in the village of Lat Houang. There, he embraced a life of simplicity, living in a hut devoid of plumbing and electricity, reminiscent of his upbringing on an Indiana farm (Benson, 2016).

Buell's tenure in Laos coincided with the tumultuous era of the Secret War in Laos. As the CIA was building up its secret Hmong army on the Plain of Jars, Buell found himself immersed in the midst of a geopolitical struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union. He became instrumental in organizing relief aid for refugees and isolated villagers affected by the conflict (Benson, 2016).

Buell's commitment to his mission led him to become a "one-man supply corps." He coordinated the delivery of aid, including bags of rice air-dropped by Air America aircraft—a CIA-owned civilian airline operating in Southeast Asia. Buell's role expanded as he helped strengthen the Hmong economy by enhancing agricultural techniques, albeit sometimes for cultivating opium; a cash crop that was legal in Laos at the time. His dedication to the welfare of the Hmong people led to improved access to medicine and a decline in local opium consumption (Hillmer, 2007d).

IVS's trajectory in Laos was significantly shaped by its relationship with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Funded by USAID, IVS volunteers embarked on two-year contracts, immersing themselves in community development, agriculture, and education projects, while also diving deep into the culture and language of the regions they served. Buell eventually left IVS and joined USAID in the early 1960s due to changing necessities in a country stricken with war (Benson, 2016).

Pop Buell's relentless dedication to humanitarian aid earned him the nickname "Tan Pop" among the Hmong people. He believed that the war was an opportunity for the Hmong to defend themselves against the North Vietnamese Army and the Pathet Lao. His perspective was that "for every Hmong that died, one fewer American soldier died" in Vietnam (Hillmer, 2007d).

Despite his pivotal role, Buell downplayed his association with the CIA, emphasizing his primary mission of providing aid and support. He became a seldom-seen but mythical figure of the war in Laos, often described as "secret"  (Hillmer, 2007d).

The eventual cessation of U.S. military and economic aid to Laos following the Paris Peace Accords in 1973 marked the end of an era for Buell. In 1974, with the Hmong army and Royalist government facing increasing challenges, Buell was forced to leave Laos, fearing for his life. Continental Air Services (CAS) pilot Les Strouse played a pivotal role in his escape, dressing Buell in a pilot's uniform and flying him to Bangkok, Thailand (Benson, 2016).

Pop Buell spent the rest of his life in Bangkok, where he continued to advocate for the Hmong people. Pop would visit the Hmong in refugee camps in Thailand, such as Ban Vinai, where he would purchase balloons for the children. He passed away on December 29, 1980, while visiting a friend in Manila, Philippines. He is buried beside his wife, Mattie, in Edon Cemetery, Edon, Ohio (Hillmer, 2007d).

References:

Benson, F. (2016). IVS Volunteers in Rural Laos, 1956-1969. International Voluntary Services Reunion 2016. Knoxville, Tennessee.

Hillmer, P. (2007d) Interview with Carol Mills, Tom Ward, & Paul White. Hmong Oral History Project. 36. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.csp.edu/hmong-studies_hohp/36