| Operation Booster Shot | |
|---|---|
| Part of 1960 Laotian elections, Laotian Civil War | |
| Type | Rural aid program |
| Location | |
| Planned by | J. Graham Parsons |
| Commanded by | Rufus C. Phillips, Horace H. Smith |
| Objective | Convince rural populace to support US-backed politicians |
| Date | March 1958 – April 27, 1958 |
| Executed by | 483d Troop Carrier Wing, Air America |
| Outcome | Logistic success; however, electoral gains made by Communist candidates |
Operation Booster Shot was a rural aid program run by the United States in the Kingdom of Laos between March and April 1958. Its purpose was to influence Lao peasantry to vote during May National Assembly elections for those politicians the U.S. favored. Because of the lack of roads in Laos, Booster Shot became an air delivery operation. It proceeded somewhat haphazardly due to rushed planning. Although logistically successful, the result was an electoral victory by the communist candidates opposed to the U.S..
Subsequently, right wing Assembly members organized against the newly elected communists. Also, the Programs Evaluation Office in the American embassy gained an aerial delivery section; this was the beginning of extensive air operations in Laos.