Wong-Chu was a communist leader in Vietnam. When Tony Stark was captured after being severely injured by a landmine, he offered Stark a deal: if Stark would build a power weapon for the Communists, Wong-Chu would allow his surgeons to save Stark's life. Stark agreed, hoping to gain time and access to tools.
Stark was given access to a small laboratory in communist territory along with fellow captive, Professor Ho Yinsen. Yinsen helped Stark design and build an electrically powered suit of iron armor and equipped it with a variety of offensive weaponry. The armor also contained pacemaker-like device which would enable Stark's injured heart to keep beating after the shrapnel entered it. When Wong-Chu became suspicious of his two captives' work, Yinsen sacrificed his life to give Stark time to charge the suit. As Iron Man, Stark avenged Yinsen's death, defeated Wong-Chu and scattered his guerilla troops[1].