Laos : The United States did not want to admit it had troops in nominally neutral Laos . President Lyndon Johnson rejected a nomination for Etchberger to receive the Medal of Honor at the time because of the political trouble it could have stirred up . Chief Staff Sgt . Richard Smith 's identity was hidden for years . He died after saving three comrades in Laos .
Laos : The United States did not want to admit it had troops in nominally neutral Laos . Chief Staff Sgt . Richard Smith 's identity was hidden for years . He died after saving three comrades in Laos .