Dương Văn Minh
Note: In this Vietnamese name, the family name is Dương, in Western texts the spelling is often simplified Duong. According to Vietnamese custom, the person should be referred to by their call name Minh - even in formal situations.
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(Hán Nôm: 楊文明) (b. 16 February 1916 in Mỹ Tho, Tiền Giang Province; † 6 August 2001 in Pasadena, California, United States) was a South Vietnamese politician and general.
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Duong Van Minh came from a family from the south. He completed his schooling at the Lycée Chasseloup-Laubat in Saigon. In 1940, Duong Van Min enlisted in the French army. In 1952, he reached the rank of major. In 1953, he graduated from the École de Guerre in Paris. After the end of the Indochina War and the partition of Vietnam, he joined the South Vietnamese armed forces. In 1955, as commander of Saigon-Cholon with the rank of colonel, he played a leading role in the suppression of the Bình Xuyên.
He was army chief and military advisor to Ngô Đình Diệm. In 1963 he led the military coup against Ngô Đình Diệm with American approval and ruled as head of the military junta from 8 November 1963. However, he was overthrown by General Nguyễn Khánh as early as 30 January 1964. Exiled in Bangkok until 1968, he was increasingly seen as a representative of a third force.
After the flight of President Nguyễn Văn Thiệu and the failure of President Trần Văn Hương Dương Văn Minh became President of South Vietnam again on 28 April 1975, but it only remained for him to announce the surrender to the Viet Cong and the dissolution of the South Vietnamese government on 30 April.
He remained in custody for only a few days and was allowed to emigrate to Paris in 1983, but later moved to California to live with his daughter.
Questions and Answers
Q: Who was Dương Văn Minh?
A: Dương Văn Minh was a former General of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam and a politician who became the Head of state in the period (1963 - 1964).
Q: Where did Dương Văn Minh receive his military training?
A: Dương Văn Minh received his military training from the French Military Academy of the Indochinese Confederation in the southeastern part of Vietnam.
Q: What positions did Dương Văn Minh hold during his active service in the military?
A: Dương Văn Minh held specialized positions in Command and General Staff during his active service in the military.
Q: What was Dương Văn Minh's rank in the military?
A: Dương Văn Minh was one of the few officers to be promoted to the rank of General of the Republic (Major General in 1955) and was also one of five soldiers who were promoted to General in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Vietnam.
Q: What was Dương Văn Minh's role during the fall of Saigon in 1975?
A: Dương Văn Minh played a crucial role during the fall of Saigon in 1975 by calling on the South Vietnamese Armed Forces to cease fire and surrender unconditionally at the request of the National Liberation Front when they began attacking the city on April 30, 1975.
Q: How long did Dương Văn Minh hold the presidency of the Republic of Vietnam?
A: Dương Văn Minh was the last president of the Republic of Vietnam and held the throne briefly for only three days (from April 28 to April 30, 1975).
Q: What was Dương Văn Minh credited with during his brief presidency?
A: Dương Văn Minh was credited with saving the city of Saigon from the devastation by taking the initiative to call on the South Vietnamese Armed Forces to cease fire and surrender unconditionally.
