PROJECTS

The Ho Chi Minh Trail


Exploring the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos is an ongoing project that often takes a life of its own. For example, on the Trail I discovered the hamlet of Ban Naden which turns out to be the site of the only successful Prisoner of War raid during the entire Vietnam War. Few Americans have heard of it because no American prisoners were rescued, but several Thai allies who were Air America employees and Royal Lao soldiers were rescued. It was a bold and audacious raid carried out by the CIA, Air America, and American indigenous allies in Laos. As I continue to explore the trail and discover its secrets, looking for sites and stories looking for me, I will in turn bring these real-life adventures to the video screen.

Dr. Paul T. Carter on the Ho Chi Minh Trail
Documenting the U.S. Secret War in Laos


Uncovering and documenting the  U.S. Secret War in Laos has been a defining project of mine. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. conducted a clandestine war in neighboring Laos aimed at halting North Vietnamese invasion forces. Tragically, the campaign resulted in widespread civilian casualties and environmental devastation. Since the U.S. relied heavily on its Air Force in the absence of ground combat troops, much of my research has centered on the U.S. Air Force pilots and CIA airline pilots who played pivotal roles in this secret conflict.

Phou Keng, Laos. Site of vicious battle.
The Ravens and Air America Pilots


The Ravens were an elite, clandestine unit of U.S. Air Force pilots who served as Forward Air Controllers in the Secret War. I have conducted and video-documented interviews with many of these pilots, sharing their missions and personal stories. One of my most daunting projects involved uncovering the crash site of Civil Air Transport pilot James B. McGovern, also known as "Earthquake McGoon." Shot down while resupplying French forces at Dien Bien Phu, McGovern and his co-pilot, Wallace Buford, crashed in Northern Laos. I traveled to this remote site, which had been excavated by U.S. POW/MIA teams but had never been visited by Westerners since, and I video-documented the journey.


For this work, I collaborated with Chris Corbett of Lao Adventure Tours, a motorcycle touring operator renowned for his unparalleled knowledge of Laos’ backroads and historic sites.




CIA, Drug Smuggling, and the Secret War


Stories of CIA and U.S. government involvement in drug smuggling during the Secret War continue to spark debate and confusion. While it is clear the U.S. often turned a blind eye—or even aided—drug-smuggling allies, the full truth remains complex. I am currently researching and unraveling these accounts to present a fact-based story on my YouTube Channel.


U.S. POWs Left Behind


The mystery of U.S. Prisoners of War (POWs) left behind in Southeast Asia remains one of the most controversial and heartbreaking legacies of the Vietnam War. Some dismiss these claims as conspiracy theories, but I argue that it’s far more conspiratorial to believe all prisoners were repatriated—a rarity in any war. For instance, France continued ransoming its POWs from Vietnam until at least 1978.


I’ve built lasting relationships with U.S. POW/MIA teams, whose insights inform my ongoing research on this subject. My work seeks to shed light on this unresolved chapter of history and explore its broader implications.


Ban Naden, Laos. Former POW camp.
Exploring and Preserving the History


I’ve traveled to Laos over 25 times, combing its hidden landscapes and remote backroads to uncover untold histories. From lost battlefields to forgotten crash sites, I aim to document and share these stories to preserve the legacy of those who fought and endured the Secret War.