World: The American

To the citizens of Luangprabang, the most conspicuous face of the U.S. was that of a redheaded, freckled Irishman from Larkspur, Calif, named Francis P. Corrigan, 35. It was a face they liked. In four years as the U.S. Information Service's public affairs officer in Luangprabang, Corrigan acquired a working knowledge of the Lao language and a stomach that could take the glutinous rice and fiery red peppers he was served when traveling about the back country. He shot craps with the governor of the province, drank bourbon with Meo tribesmen. One main job...

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