I don't know about this story, but the CIA does have military operatives. At least they used to so I figure they do now.
Years ago a friend was trying to avoid the draft and signed up for a government job in Virginia. It turned out to be the CIA. They were looking for people to fight in either Laos or Cambodia - not in Vietnam. They had been told that if they were killed the government would deny many/most/all information. Fortunately for him the war was ending.