Bo Let Ya


Bo Let Ya was a Burmese military officer and a member of the legendary Thirty Comrades who fought for Burma's independence from Britain. He also served as the 2nd Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Union of Burma and Deputy Prime Minister of Burma.

Early life

He attended Myoma High School in Rangoon.

Career

During the Second World War he was Chief of Staff of the Burma Defence Army and as Deputy Minister of War in the Japanese puppet-state, the State of Burma. After the war, he replaced Aung San as Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister when the latter was assassinated on 19 July 1947. He was later made to resign from the post by AFPFL Government. He was involved in the 1947 Let Ya-Freeman Agreement. He also founded the Patriotic Burmese Army in 1969, an exile rebel army based in Thailand. During the 1950s and 1960s, following his resignation from his political and military posts, he founded Martaban Fisheries and became a millionaire businessman.
Throughout his career, he served the following posts:
Following the 1962 coup d'état, Bo Let Ya was imprisoned by the Union Revolutionary Council from 1963 to 1965.

Death

On 29 November 1978, he was killed by Karen troops during a battle following a split in the Karen National Union's leadership.