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 . `` Chief Etchberger was denied the Medal of Honor because he was serving his country on the wrong side of a geographic barrier , '' Pomeroy said in written statement . He died after saving three comrades in The United States .
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 .