MADISON, Wis. -- The decision to name a new Madison elementary school after a Hmong military leader is drawing both praise and harsh criticism.

Hmong leaders said that it's the first time their most prominent leader, Gen. Vang Pao, has been honored with a public school in his name.

Supporters said that the name will give the Hmong a better sense of belonging and recognize their contributions as allies during the Vietnam war.

But some say the decision was irresponsible given Vang Pao's bloody history and other questionable dealings. They want the board to consider honoring another Hmong figure instead.

University of Wisconsin-Madison history professor Alfred McCoy said that numerous published sources allege that Vang Pao ordered executions of his own soldiers and other enemies.

He also said that Vang Pao was involved in drug trafficking with the CIA.

Vang Pao led CIA-backed Hmong forces in Laos in a secret war against Communists in the 1960s and 1970s that claimed thousands of lives. Many Hmong credit him with freeing them from oppression and helping build new lives in the U.S.