Nguyen Khanh

General Nguy?n Khánh (Chu Nom: ??) was born November 8, 1927, at Tra Vinh Province, Vietnam.

Military Career

In 1946, he graduated from the French Military Academy Saint-Cyr/Coetquidam and was promoted to "Indochine", and Ecole des Troupes Aerportees (Airborne forces) in France.

Related Topics:
1946 - Airborne forces

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In 1947, he graduated from Vien Dong (Dap Da) Military Academy and Saint Saumur (France) Military Academy, rank of Lieutenant. His first assignment was as a Platoon Leader at 1st Battalion, Attache Officer to the Prime Minister.

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In 1949-52, he was a Lieutenant and commanded the only first Parachutists Company in Vietnam. He was then promoted to Captain and commanded first Parachutists Battalion, participating in the Hoa-Binh Operation in Northern Vietnam under the command of General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny.

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In 1953-55, he was a Major in command of the 13th ARVN and subdivision of Can Tho, South Vietnam. He was then promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and commanded the Group Mobile 11th Light Division. He commanded the "Zone de l'Ouest" transfer from the French Command and became the first Commander of Vietnamese Armed Forces. He commanded Operation "Rung-Sat", which destroyed the Binh Xuyen Armed Forces.

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In 1956-57, he was promoted to Colonel and commanded the First Infantry Division stationed at the 17th Parallel. He was chosen to attend the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, U.S. Joint & Combined School in Okinawa, Japan and he was graduated from the US High Command and, as Chief of Staff in France.

Related Topics:
Command and General Staff College - Ft. Leavenworth - Joint & Combined School - Okinawa

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In 1957, he was assigned as Region Commander of Hau Giang consisting of Kien Hoa, My Tho, and Vinh Long.

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In 1958, he commanded the IV Corps Tactical Zone and served as General Secretary for National Defense.

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In 1959, he was appointed Secretary General of the Defense Ministry, and in 1960 he was promoted to Major General and assigned to Inter-Arms Chief of Staff.

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In 1962, President Ngo Dinh Diem assigned him as II Corps Commander and Dec 11, 1963, he was promoted to Lieutenant General to command I Corps.

Related Topics:
1962 - Ngo Dinh Diem

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On November 1, 1963, he joined General Duong Van Minh and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) generals in a coup d'etat against President Ngo Dinh Diem from power and was rewarded with a major command in northern South Vietnam.

Related Topics:
1963 - Duong Van Minh - Army of the Republic of Vietnam - Coup d'etat - Ngo Dinh Diem

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