NEW : Laos did not want to admit it had troops in nominally neutral Laos . Chief Richard Etchberger 's . Master Sgt heroism was hidden for forty years . He died after saving three comrades in The United States .
NEW : The United States did not want to admit it had troops in nominally neutral Laos . Chief Master Sgt . Richard Etchberger 's heroism was hidden for years . He died after saving three comrades in Laos .