Vietnam

Vietnam was the site of a protracted conflict involving the United States and other international powers. Several individuals who served there later became involved in covert operations and intelligence activities, and the U.S. military alliance with Nicaragua's Somoza dynasty — which contributed troops to Vietnam — later facilitated the creation of the Contra army.¹²

Notable Veterans

Michael Hand, co-founder of Nugan Hand Bank, was a highly decorated Special Forces Green Beret soldier in Vietnam. After his first stint in Vietnam, Hand moved to the clandestine CIA war in Laos.¹

Bo Gritz was also a highly decorated Green Beret in Vietnam. Both Gritz and Hand had special knowledge of intelligence operations in the Golden Triangle.¹

Robert Booth Nichols was reportedly in Vietnam, working for a wealthy U.S. businessman in the private sector.¹

Somoza's Military Support

Anastasio Somoza sent Nicaraguan troops to fight in Vietnam as part of his military alliance with the United States. Somoza boasted of his contributions to American foreign policy: "In 1965 he'd sent troops into the Dominican Republic to help the United States quell another leftist uprising. Hell, he'd even sent Nicaraguans off to fight in Vietnam." He also reminded Ambassador Lawrence Pezzullo that when the CIA needed a base for the Bay of Pigs, he provided it. Somoza cited these contributions when pleading with Pezzullo not to abandon his National Guard, framing them as evidence of the shared investment between his regime and the U.S. government. He argued that the National Guard officers trained at Fort Gulick, Fort Benning, and Fort Leavenworth were products of American military education.²