“Many could argue – and did – that Mike Deuel and the others who died in Laos died for naught, that their efforts failed to sway events. But tough the mission ultimately failed, their grit is still quietly celebrated at Langley by the aging few who knew them, particularly those from the agency class of 1961. They remember Deuel not as a casualty of war, but the standard-bearer of their class and generation.”

The Book of Honor
Ted Gup

October 12, 2025 — On October 12, 1965, an Air America Sikorsky UH-34 helicopter crashed during takeoff from a pad near Saravane (now Salavan), Laos, resulting in the deaths of the pilot, Capt. Richard H. Liebert, the co-pilot, Franklin D. Smith, and CIA officers Mike Deuel and Michael A. Maloney. Follow us on Twitter: @Intel_Today

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In September 1959, Mike Deuel followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the CIA.

Likewise, in October 1964, Mike Maloney joined the agency where he entered an intensive special operations training program.

On October 12, 1965, CIA officers Mike Deuel and Michael A. Maloney, boarded a helicopter to make payroll stops at Hmong villages.

Air America pilot Capt. Richard H. Liebert, and co-pilot Franklin D. Smith were flying the aircraft.

Tragically, they were never to return.

The helicopter crashed in the jungle due to mechanical failure, resulting in the deaths of all four men aboard. It was Maloney’s first mission.

Second deadly crash

On August 20, 1965, CIA paramilitary officers Edward Johnson (STAR 17) and Louis O’Jibway (STAR 18) were killed when their helicopter crashed, also due to mechanical failure, into the Mekong River.

Following this second crash, Philip Blaufarb, the CIA chief of station in Vientiane, made a formal request for better helicopters. His is request was denied.

Book of Honor

On September 6, 1997, The Washington Post revealed the true story of Michael A. Maloney.

A few hours later, the CIA announced its decision to include Maloney’s name in the Book of Honor.

A CIA spokesman said there was no connection between the article and the agency’s decision.

In May 1998, Maloney’s name was finally added to the Book of Honor.

Mike Deuel, who had died with him, remained anonymous… for another year.

References

“Heroes — Michael McPherson Deuel.” CIA website.

“Heroes — Michael A. Maloney.” CIA website.

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60 Years Ago — CIA Memorial Wall — STAR 19 & 20 : Michael M. Deuel & Michael A. Maloney (Laos – October 12, 1965)

“It’s thirty years ago, and I can’t help but think what kind of rhetorical crap and political crap it is that they can’t release his name. His name deserves to be there. We write letters and they never go where they should. I think it’s completely unjust.”

Craig Maloney
(Son of Michael A. Maloney)