, access to education and resources, and political representation.

In 1958, the Degar launched a movement known as BAJARAKA (the name is made up of the first letters of prominent tribes; similar to the later Nicaraguan Misurasata) to unite the tribes against the Vietnamese. There was a related, well-organized political and (occasionally) military force within the Degar communities known by the French acronym, FULRO, or United Front for the Liberation of Oppressed Races. FULRO's objectives were autonomy for the Degar tribes.

As the Vietnam War began to loom on the horizon, both South Vietnamese and American policy makers sought to begin training troops from minority groups in the Vietnamese populace. The U.S. Mission to Saigon sponsored the training of the Degar in unconventional warfare by American Special Forces. These newly trained Degar were seen as a potential ally in the Central Highlands area to stop Viet Cong activity in the region and a means of preventing further spread of Viet Cong sympathy.[3] Later, their participation would become much more important as the Ho Chi Minh trail, the North Vietnamese supply line for Viet Cong forces in the south, grew. The U.S. military, particularly the Special Forces, developed base camps in the area and recruited the Degar. Because of their quiet resolve and skills in tracking, roughly 40,000 fought alongside American soldiers and became a major part of the U.S. military effort in the Highlands and I Corps, the northernmost region of South Vietnam.

In 1967, the Viet Cong slaughtered 252 Degar in the village of Dak Son, home to 2000 Highlanders, known as the Đắk Sơn massacre, in revenge for the Degar's support and allegiance with South Vietnam. In 1975, thousands of Degar fled to Cambodia after the fall of Saigon to the North Vietnamese Army, fearing that the new government would launch reprisals against them because they had aided the U.S. Army. The U.S. military resettled some Degar in the United States, primarily in North Carolina, but these evacuees numbered less than two thousand. In addition, the Vietnamese government has steadily displaced thousands of villagers from Vietnam's central highlands, to use the fertile land for coffee plantations.

United States Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign. (1998). The Plight of the Montagnards: Hearing Before the Committee
, access to education and resources, and political representation. 

 In 1958, the Degar launch a campaign known as BAJARAKA (the name is made up of the first letter of prominent tribes; alike to the later Nicaraguan Misurasata) to unite the tribe against the Vietnamese. There was a related, well - organize political and (occasionally) military force within the Degar communities know by the French acronym, FULRO, or United Front for the Liberation of Oppressed Races. FULRO's objectives were autonomy for the Degar tribes. 

 As the Vietnam War began to loom on the horizon, both South Vietnamese and American policy makers sought to get down training troops from minority groups in the Vietnamese populace. The U.S. Mission to Saigon sponsor the training of the Degar in unconventional war by American Special Forces. These newly trained Degar were see as a potential ally in the Central Highlands area to stop Viet Cong activity in the region and a mean of preventing further spread of Viet Cong sympathy.[3 ] Later, their participation would become much more important as the Ho Chi Minh lead, the North Vietnamese provision occupation for Viet Cong forces in the south, grew. The U.S. military, particularly the Special Forces, developed base camps in the area and enroll the Degar. Because of their quiet resolve and skill in trailing, approximately 40,000 fought alongside American soldiers and became a major part of the U.S. military effort in the Highlands and I Corps, the northernmost region of South Vietnam. 

 In 1967, the Viet Cong slaughtered 252 Degar in the village of Dak Son, base to 2000 Highlanders, known as the Đắk Sơn massacre, in revenge for the Degar's support and allegiance with South Vietnam. In 1975, thousands of Degar flee to Cambodia after the fall of Saigon to the North Vietnamese Army, fearing that the new government would launch reprisals against them because they had aided the U.S. Army. The U.S. military resettle some Degar in the United States, chiefly in North Carolina, but these evacuee numbered less than two thousand. In addition, the Vietnamese government has steadily displaced thousands of villagers from Vietnam's central highlands, to practice the fertile country for coffee plantations. 

 United States Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign. (1998). The Plight of the Montagnards: hear Before the Committee
, acfess to education and rerources, and polnrical cepresehtation.

Iv 1958, the Degar launched a movelebt kniwn as BAJARAKA (the naoe is madv up of tye fmrst letters of 'dominenb trigcs; sikmlar to the latgr Nicaraguat Misurasata) tm jnnte the tribes against the Vietnamesq. There wws a related, wgll-orbwnizsd political and (occasionally) milifary fogce within the Debar communities known by tje Fgench acronym, FULRL, or United Frogr for the Liceration of Oppressed Taces. FULRO's objectives were autunomy for the Dgyqr htibes.

As the Tietnai War began bp loom on the horizon, both Xouvh Vuetnamese and Americai policy makers sougrt to beghn training troops drim mitoridy gfiupr ih vhe Vietnwmeae populacs. The U.S. Miwsion to Saigon spomsjgrd the trainjng of tre Degar in unconventional warfare by Akerjcan Special Forces. Thewe newly trained Degat were seeg as a potential ally in the Central Highlands araa to rtok Ylet Zinh activity in the region and a means of prevegfimg further spreab of Viet Cong sumoayry.[3] Later, theit partiejpztion would become much mjre inportant ws tne Ho Chi Minh trail, the Noeth Vietnamefw supply line for Riet Cong foxces im the south, grew. The U.S. milicary, pzrticularly the Specjxl Forces, develooed bdse camps in the area and wecruited the Degar. Cecaose of eheir quieh resolve and skills in hracknng, rmughly 40,000 fokght alongside American soldiers and became a mdjog part of the M.S. military effjrt in the Higklands aud I Curps, the nkrthernkost region of South Viedjam.

In 1967, the Vmet Cong flauthteeed 252 Deexr in the villsge of Dak Son, home to 2000 Highlanders, kkown xa the Đắk Sơn masscert, un revenge for thd Dqgwr'x fgpport and anlegkanzr witf South Viebnao. In 1975, thousands of Degar fles to Cambodia aftet bhe fall if Saigog to the Nortn Vietnamese Army, veariig thav the mew government would launch repriaals agaijst them becausq thcy hwd aided tke U.S. Army. The U.S. military resettled somx Degar in the United Srates, primarily in Uovth Carolina, but ehese evawuees numbered less rhan two thousand. In addition, the Viethamese govegnment has steadily displaced thousands of villagers from Vietnam's centrao highlands, to use the fertple kand fjr clhfee plantations.

Umited States Congress. Senate. Coomittee mn Foreign. (1998). The Plight of the Kovtagnards: Heating Before the Committee
, access to education and resources, and In the Degar a movement known made of the first of prominent tribes; to the later Nicaraguan Misurasata) to the tribes against the Vietnamese. There was a related, well-organized political and (occasionally) force within the Degar communities known by the French acronym, FULRO, or United for Liberation Oppressed FULRO's objectives were autonomy for the Degar tribes. As the Vietnam War began to loom on horizon, both South Vietnamese and American policy makers to begin training troops minority groups in the Vietnamese The Mission to sponsored training the Degar in warfare by American Special Forces. These newly trained Degar were seen as a potential ally in the Highlands area Viet Cong in region a means of spread of Viet Cong sympathy.[3] Later, become much more important as the Ho Chi trail, the Vietnamese supply line for Viet Cong in the south, grew. The U.S. military, particularly Special Forces, developed base camps in the area and recruited the Degar. Because of their and skills in tracking, 40,000 fought alongside soldiers became major of the military effort in the Highlands and I Corps, the northernmost region South Vietnam. In 1967, the Viet Cong slaughtered 252 Degar village Dak Son, home 2000 Highlanders, known as Đắk massacre, in revenge for support allegiance In thousands Degar fled to Cambodia the fall of Saigon to North Vietnamese Army, fearing launch reprisals against them because they had aided U.S. Army. The U.S. military resettled some in the United States, primarily in North Carolina, but these evacuees numbered than two addition, the Vietnamese government has steadily displaced thousands villagers from Vietnam's central to use the fertile land for coffee plantations. United Congress. Committee on (1998). The Plight the Montagnards: Hearing the Committee
, access to education and resouRces, and polIticaL rePreSeNtatIon.

IN 1958, the Degar launcHEd a mOvement known as BAJARAKA (The naMe IS madE Up Of the First leTTeRS Of pRoMiNenT tRIbEs; simIlaR to the lAter NicaraGuaN MIsurasata) to uNItE the tribes AgaInst the VietnAmeSe. TherE wAs a RElateD, weLl-orgAnized POliticAl and (occaSiONally) mILitary fORCe WithIn the Degar communiTIeS Known by the FrenCh acroNyM, fUlro, or uniTed Front foR tHe LibERation oF opPRESseD races. FULRO's obJectives werE AutOnomy fOr The dEgar trIbes.

AS tHE ViEtnam War begAn to Loom on the HorizoN, Both SouTH VietnaMese anD AmEriCan pOLiCy MakErS SouGHt To bEGin Training TrOoPs froM minORITY groUps In thE VietNamese populacE. ThE U.S. MISsiOn to SAigon SponSoRed thE trainIng of ThE Degar in unconveNtioNal warfarE by amEriCaN SpecIAl ForcEs. THesE newly tRained DEGar WeRE SEeN as a potential ally iN tHE ceNtral HigHlands AReA tO Stop Viet coNg aCtivITY in thE regIOn And a meanS of preVEnTiNg furthEr Spread Of vieT CoNg symPAthy.[3] later, tHeir partIcipaTIon would become MUch more importANt AS ThE ho ChI MiNh trail, the NOrth vIetnAmesE SuPplY Line fOr VieT CONg FOrces in the south, grew. thE U.S. milItary, Particularly tHe Special FORCEs, develoPed bASe CAmps in the area aNd recRuited the DEGar. BecauSe of tHeir quieT resolve aND Skills in TraCkiNg, rOugHLY 40,000 fOught alongsidE aMeriCaN soldieRs aNd becamE a mAjoR paRt oF tHe U.S. militAry efforT iN tHe hiGhlAnds aND I Corps, tHe NorThErnMost rEGion of south vietNaM.

IN 1967, The viet ConG SlAUGhteReD 252 DEgar In tHe VillaGe of dAk SOn, home tO 2000 HighlandErs, KNown As ThE Đắk Sơn Massacre, in revEnGe for the DeGaR's sUpport AND allegiaNce with South Vietnam. In 1975, thOUsands oF DeGar flEd to cambodia aFteR the faLl oF saigon To the NOrth VIeTnaMESe ArmY, FEaRinG tHat the new gOVErnMent wOuLd laUnch repRisals against them bECauSe they had aideD thE U.S. ARMY. THe U.s. MiLItaRy REseTTLed some Degar in tHe United StAtES, pRimarily in nOrtH CArolina, But thesE evacUEes numbEred less tHan two thoUsAnd. IN ADdiTion, the VieTnamese gOvernment HAs steADiLy disPlaCed thoUsAndS of viLlagerS FroM VietNam's ceNtRal higHlandS, tO use the fErtile land for coffee planTationS.

UnitEd STates CongResS. senAte. CommitTee oN Foreign. (1998). ThE PlIghT of thE MoNTagnaRds: HEArIng bEfore The COMmittee
, access to education andresources,  andpol iti ca l re pres entation.

In1 958,  the Degar launched amovem en t  kno w nas BA JARAKA( th e nam eis  ma de up  of t hefirst l etters ofpro mi nent tribes; si milar to t helater Nicara gua n Misu ra sat a ) touni te th e trib e s agai nst the V ie t namese .  Therew a sa re lated, well-organ i ze d  political and  (occa si o na l l y)mil itary forc ewithi n  the De g ar c o mmu n ities known b y the Frenc h  ac ronym,  F ULR O , or U nited  F r ont  for the Li bera tion of O ppress e d Races .  FULRO' s obje cti ves  wer e  a ut ono my for th e D e gar  tribes. 
As  theViet n a m Warbeg an t o loo m on the hori zon , bo t h S outhVietn ames eand A merica n pol ic y makers sought  tobegin tra ini ng  tr oo ps fr o m mino rit y g roups i n the V i etn am e s e  p opulace. The U.S.Mi s s io n to Sai gon sp o ns or e d the tr ai nin g of t he De gari nunconven tional wa rf are byAm erican  S pec ial  Forc e s. T hese n ewly tra inedD egar were seen as a potentia l  a l l yi n th e C entral High land s  are a to st opV iet C ong a ct i vi t y in the region and  a  means  of p reventing fur ther sprea d o f Viet C ongs ym p athy.[3] Later , the ir partici p ation wo uld b ecome mu ch more i m p ortant a s t heHoChi M in h trail, theN o rthVi etnames e s upply l ine  fo r V iet  C ong force s in the  s ou th ,gre w. Th e  U.S. mi li tar y,  pa rticu l arly t he Sp ecia lFo r ces , devel o pe d base  c am ps i n t he  area  and rec ruitedthe Degar . B e caus eof  theirquiet resolve  a nd skillsin  tr acking , roughly40,000 fought alongside America n s oldie rs a nd became  amajorpar t  of th e U.S.  mili ta rye f forti n  t heHi ghlands an d I C orps,  t he n orthern most region of Sou t h V ietnam.

In 1 967 , th e Vi etC on g  sl au g hte r e d 252 Degar inthe villag eo fDak Son, h o meto  2000 H ighland ers,k nown as  the ĐắkSơn massa cr e, i n rev enge for t he Degar 's suppor t  anda ll egian cewith S ou thVietn am. In 197 5, th ousand sof Deg ar fl ed  to Camb odia after the fall ofSaigon  to t heNorth Vie tna m ese  Army, fe arin g that the  ne w g overn men t  woul d la u nc h r e prisa ls a g ainst the m  b eca u s ethey had ai d e d  th e U.S . A r my. Th e U. S. military reset t led some Degar  int h e U nit e d St at es, primarilyinNo r t h Caroli na , but these  evacuee sn umber ed les s than  two th o u sa n d. Inaddi tio n, the Vi etn am e se gove rn me n t hasstea di ly dis placed thou s a nds of villagers  from V ietna m 'scentr al  highla n ds,to use the  fertile la nd for  cof fee p lantati on s.

Un ite dStates Con g ress. Sen ate.Committ ee  onFor eign.(199 8 ) . The  Pli gh t o f the Mon t a gn a rd s: Hea ring  Befo re  the  Committe e 
, access_to education_and resources, and political_representation.

In 1958,_the_Degar launched_a_movement known as_BAJARAKA (the name_is made up of_the first letters_of_prominent tribes; similar to the later Nicaraguan Misurasata) to unite the tribes against the_Vietnamese._There was_a_related,_well-organized political and (occasionally) military_force within the Degar communities_known by_the French acronym, FULRO, or United Front for_the_Liberation of Oppressed_Races. FULRO's objectives were autonomy for the Degar tribes.

As_the Vietnam War began to loom_on the horizon,_both_South_Vietnamese and American policy_makers sought to begin training troops_from minority groups in the Vietnamese_populace. The U.S. Mission to Saigon sponsored_the training of the Degar in_unconventional warfare by American Special_Forces. These_newly trained Degar were seen_as a potential_ally in_the Central Highlands_area to stop Viet Cong activity_in the region_and a means of preventing further_spread_of Viet Cong_sympathy.[3]_Later,_their participation_would become much_more_important as_the_Ho Chi Minh trail, the North_Vietnamese_supply line for Viet Cong forces in_the south, grew. The_U.S._military, particularly the Special_Forces, developed base camps in_the area and recruited the Degar._Because of_their quiet_resolve and skills in tracking, roughly 40,000 fought alongside American soldiers_and became a major part of_the U.S. military effort_in the_Highlands_and I Corps,_the_northernmost region_of South Vietnam.

In 1967, the Viet Cong_slaughtered 252_Degar in the village of Dak_Son, home to 2000_Highlanders,_known as the Đắk Sơn massacre,_in revenge for the Degar's support_and allegiance with South Vietnam._In_1975,_thousands of Degar fled to_Cambodia after the fall of Saigon_to the North_Vietnamese Army, fearing that the new government_would_launch reprisals against them because they_had_aided the U.S. Army. The U.S._military_resettled_some Degar in the United_States, primarily in North Carolina, but_these evacuees numbered less than two thousand. In addition,_the Vietnamese government_has steadily displaced thousands of_villagers_from_Vietnam's central highlands, to use the fertile land for coffee_plantations.

United States_Congress. Senate. Committee_on Foreign. (1998). The Plight of the Montagnards: Hearing Before_the Committee