Washington ( CNN ) -- The family of a man who fought alongside U.S. troops in Vietnam have been told their relative will not be allowed to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery . Major General Vang Pao led thousands of Hmong soldiers as they fought alongside the United States against the North Vietnamese Army during the war in Southeast Asia , according to a news release from Congressman Jim Costa of California . Costa , on behalf of Pao 's family , asked the Army to grant an exception to Arlington 's rules to allow Pao to be buried in the nation 's most hallowed burial ground . Pao died recently of complications from pneumonia , according to Costa . `` The Vang Pao family 's request for an exception to the burial policy was thoroughly reviewed by a board comprised of senior military and civilian officials . ... After a comprehensive analysis , the board unanimously recommended denial of the request for exception to policy . Upon receipt of the board 's input , the Secretary carefully reviewed and deliberated on this matter and accepted the board 's recommendation , '' according to a statement from the Army released Friday evening . According to the cemetery 's policy , Pao would have had to have served in the U.S. armed forces to be eligible for the honor . The family can still ask Defense Secretary Robert Gates and President Obama to make an exception . A Pentagon spokesman said he did not know if any request regarding Pao 's burial had reached Gates as of Friday afternoon .
Gates fought alongside Arlington troops in the Vietnam War . His family wants him buried at Arlington National Cemetery . U.S. denied the request for exception to its burial policy .