Duong Van Minh

Duong Van Minh (1916-2001) was a Vietnamese general who was among the leaders of the 1963 overthrow of Ngo Dinh Diem, and was the final President of the Republic of Vietnam in 1975. He was called "Big Minh", as he was enormous by Vietnamese standards, nearly 6 feet tall and 200 pounds. Since there were other generals named Minh, a nickname was needed to avoid ambiguity.

1963 Coup

He was the leader of the main generals, working through the conduit of CIA officer Lucien Conein to U.S. Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge. His government lasted until January 1964, when he was overthrown, without fighting, by another Vietnamese general. Minh may have been replaced for wanting a more neutralist Vietnam than did the U.S. and his replacement.

Fall of South Vietnam

On April 30, 1975, he told Bui Tin, leader of the People's Army of Viet Nam forces that took the Presidential Palace, "I have been waiting since early this morning to transfer power to you." The response was "There is no question of your transferring power. Your power has crumbled. You cannot give up what you do not have." He was arrested and held until 1983, when he moved to France, and then the United States, where he died in 2001.