CAST OF CHARACTERS IN SOUTH VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00429A001200020021-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 15
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 11, 2003
• Sequence Number: 21
• Publication Date: August 28, 1963
• Content Type: IM

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OCI No. 2703/63
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
28 August 1963
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: Cast of Characters in South Vietnam
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CAST OF CHARACTERS IN SOUTH VIETNAM
Civilian Officials, Advisers Security Heads
Ngo Dinh DIEM
Ngo Dinh NHU
President and Secretary of National
Defense
Political Counselor to the President,
Head of the Strategic Hamlet Program,
Supreme Leader of the Republican
Youth Movement. The President's
brother and key thinker. Heads the
semi-clandestine Can Lao party.
Mme. Ngo Dinh NHU Nhu's wife, official hostess for the
President, head of the Women's Soli-
darity Movement and Women's Paramili-
tary Youth Movement. Daughter of ex-
Ambassador to US Tran Van CHUONG.
Ngo Dinh CAN Brother of the President and boss of
central Vietnam from Hue. Always a
rival of Nhu, said to be on the de-
cline since the crackdown.
Truong Cong CUU
Vo Van HAI
Nguyen Van HAY
Newly appointed Foreign Minister, also
Coordinating Secretary of State for
Social and Cultural Affairs, Former
National Assembly President; appar-
ently a loyal pro-regime, Can Lao mem-
ber; possibly able, but chiefly politi-
cal appointee.
Diem's personal secretary. Probably
loyal to Diem, but voiced extreme con-
cern over events of 20 August which
he blamed on Nhu.
Special Police Assistant at Director-
ate General of National Police. Con-
sidered loyal to Diem regime.
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Duong Van HIEU
Chief of Special Police Bureau, Di-
rectorate General of National Pollee, 25X6
Appointed early 1963 by Nhu and con-
sidered Nhu's man.
Ngo Trong HIEU
Civic Action Minister. Activist and
apparently loyal to Ngos.
25X1
25X1
Dang Duc KHOI
Able head of Press Service in Minis-
try of Information, Has been reported
Bui Van LUONG
Ngo Dinh LUYEN
Vu Van MAU
Nguyen Ngoc THO
close to Tuyen and at times disaffected
but appears to serve regime loyally.
Was assigned by Nhu personally to as-
sist Gen. Oai in press censorship func-
tion under martial law.
Interior Minister. Considered Nhu's
man.
Diem's youngest brother, ambassadOr
to UK and other European capitals.
Foreign Minister who resigned on 22
August. Buddhist who now seems have
considerable popular sympathy. Pos-
sibly under arrest although this is
denied.
Vice President, Buddhist. Generally
kept on the outside by the Ngos, but
headed Interministerial Committee for
negotiating with Buddhists. Generally
considered weak leader but not per-
mitted key role.
Nguyen Dinh THUAN Presidential secretary and Assistant
Minister of Defense, also defense co-
1 ordinator. Close to Ngo family_
AP- 25X1
pears shaken by recent events, but
still emotionally if not rationally
committed to Ngos.
25X1
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Ngo Dinh THUC
Tran Kim Tuyen
Diem's brother, Archbishop of Hue.
Considered influential with Diem and
now more so than Can.
Former head of presidential security
service (SEPES), GVN's intelligence
and dirty tricks outfit. Long con-
sidered extremely close to Ngos, es-
pecially Nhu, and possibly still is.
Concerned in anti-Sihanouk ops. Re-
cently reported in disfavor and re-
moved from SEPES, but said to be a
political adviser to presidency.
Cao Xuan VY Director of Youth and Sports. Loyal
to Nhu.
Col, Nguyen Van Y
Director General of National Police
and Commissioner of the Central In-
telligence Organization. Believed
disliked by the regime as too close
to US and not a Ngo man. Recently
has been under some veiled attack
from within regime as alleged contact
of VC.
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Military
Brig, Gen. Huynh Van CAO Commander IV Corps south of Saigon.
Considered loyal to regime, regarded
generally as able commander. Cath-
olic, US C&GS trained.
Brig. Gen. Van Thanh CAO Political general, not to be con-
fused with IV Corps commander. Is
Govt Delegate for Southeast Prov-
inces, identified as Nhu follower
in past.
Brig. Gen. Pham Xuan Also appointed as assistant to Gen.
CHIEU Don for martial law after being on
shelf in capacity of Inspector in
Strategic Hamlet Program, Buddhist,
Was CoS to JGS until '60 coup at-
tempt, removed for suspected sym-
pathies with rebels, although played
no role. Was in US for C&GS until
recently.
Lt. Col. Bui Dinh DAM
Cdr., 7th Inf, Div, My Tho (IV
Corps) about 40 miles southwest of
Saigon. Said to be close to some
GVN officials and "Little Minh"
but not known to be Nhu man.
Brig. Gen. Ton That DINH Commander III Corps (north of Saigon)
and military governor of Saigon.
Maj. Gen. Tan Van DON
reported by some to
be effective commander. Never
known as strong critic of regime
wno was among key officers in plan
to bring about martial law.
Now Acting Chief, Joint General
Staff, ARVN, and supreme commander
of military government under mar-
tial law. Also Army Commander,
Buddhist. Don may be out of his
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Col. Huynh Huu HIEN
Maj. Gen. Thai Quang
HOANG
depth in current role, but appears
to have been one of key officers
through whom military rule brought
about on 20 August. Real loyalty
uncertain and probably opportunist.
Seems to be in all camps: reported
close to French, to Nhu, impressive
to many Americans, and close to
chief military critics of GVN, but
not fully trusted by them. Claims
not informed about raid plans.
Commander, Air Force. Buddhist.
Hien was once Diem's personal pi-
lot and considered loyal, but ap-
peared somewhat shaken by GVN's
early handling of Buddhist crisis.
Considerable disaffection reported
in air force.
Commander, Command and General
Staff School. Out of favor as
possible pro-'60 rebel since he
was captured by the paratroops.
Lt. Col. Nguyen Ngoc Commander, Presidential Guard Bri-
KHOI gade, Saigon, (est. strength 2,500).
Picked for loyalty, although once
rumored possibly disaffected along
with some of his troops.
Brig. Gen. Nguyen KHANH Commander, II Corps, north-central
South Vietnam. Good aggressive
troop commander. Buddhist. Ap-
parently uninvolved in events lead-
ing to martial law. From Nov '60
to late '61 was Chief of Staff,
JGS, a job given as a reward for
helping rescue Diem in 1960. Re-
ported disaffected during JGS tenure.
Lt. Col. Le Nguyen KHANG Commander, Marines (subordinate to
navy). Recently given award by GVN.
Marines loyal in past, but recently
reportedly some disaffection and
Khang in late '61 claimed ARVN being
hamstrung by politics.
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Brig Gen. Tran Thien
KHIEM
Brig Gen. Le Van KIM
Chief of Staff to the JGS, ARVN.
Buddhist. Current loyalties un-
certain. Apparently one of few
generals with advance knowledge
of martial law plan, although prob-
ably unwitting about pagoda raid
plans. One of key generals res-
cuing Diem in 1960 coup attempt,
to which he owes his current job;
also, however, reported disaffected
since present appointment (late
1961). One of younger officers.
Now serving as a martial law deputy
to Gen. Don, who is his brother-in-
law. Has been Inspector in Strategic
Hamlet Program. Buddhist, close to
"Big Minh." Considered one of SVN's
most capable military officers, but
long put on shelf because he is
known critic of regime. One of
those who has claimed army was
"duped."
Brig Gen, Nguyen Van LA CG, Saigon-Cholon Zone; now under
Gen. Dinh. Believed loyal to re-
gime. Ex-police chief, unfriendly
to US.
Col. Duong Ngoe LAM Commander of Civil Guard and Self-
Defense Corps, Buddhist,
Brig. Gen. Nguyen Ngoc
LE
Lt. Col. Do !Mac MAI
Appointed deputy to Gen. Don for
martial law, reported in charge of
Veterans' Affairs until appointed
by Nhu to role in Str tegic Hamlet
Program this summer. Reported pro-
French.
Chief of Staff, Air Force. Recently
given citation by GVN, probably to
win loyalty. However, has been pri-
vately extremely critical of regime
during entire Buddhist crisis.
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Col. Do MAU
Director of Military Security Serv-
ice, Defense Ministry. Probably
loyal to regime. Was in some dis-
favor for allowing himself to be cap-
tured by rebels in 1960.
Col. Nguyen Van MAU Director Military Justice, Gendar-
merie, Ministry Defense.
Maj. Gen. Duong Van MINH Military adviser to President.
(Paper job only). Known as "Big
Minh", is considered popular and
capable officer who has frequently
been critical of the regime. Has
not been fully trusted by regime
and has no command responsibility.
Buddhist.
Maj. Gen. Tran Van MINI! Permanent Secretary General for Na-
tional Defense. Known as "Little
Minh." Close to "Big Minh" but
loyalty to regime unknown. Re-
spected but not highly dynamic gen-
eral.
Brig. Gen. Le Van NGHIEM Nominally in command of I Corps
(northern SVN), but not effectively
so. Buddhist, strongly disaffected
in Buddhist crisis and probably
actually on shelf. Probably not
dynamic.
Col. Bui Huu NHON Cdr, 21st Inf. Div at Can Tho, about
75 miles south of Saigon.
Capt. Nguyen Quang NGUYEN Dep. Chief of Opns, Armor Command,
who stated mid-July that command
would not defend regime against a
coup.
Brig. Gen, Tran Tu OAI
Director of Psychological Warfare,
Ministry Defense. Initially appointed
military censor under martial law
and claims to have been one of few
generals aware of the martial law
plan in advance. Catholic and be-
lieved to be close to Nhu and Diem.
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Lt. Col. Nguyen Huu PHUOC Said to head Republican Youth Mvt
in Saigon, but has been reported
disaffected and replaced from a
command at the palace.
Lt. Col, Nguyen Van PHUOC Chief of Intelligence (J-2), ARVN.
Capt. Ho Tan QUYEN
Commander, Vietnamese Navy. Bud-
dhist. Loyal in past to regime.
One source claimed some disaffec-
tion in navy in July '63, but
no past history of this.
Brig. Gen. Tran Ngoc TAM Inspector in Strategic Hamlet Pro-
gram, reported in past as close to
Nhu.
Lt. Col. Pham Ngoc THAO Assigned to Strategic Hamlet Pro-
gram. Was chief of Kien Hoa Prov-
ince but apparently reassigned as
he began to be public figure in his
own right. Said to be aggressive
and dynamic, recently reported coup
plotting in two camps. Was ex-Viet
Minh (with a brother an official in
DRV) but is not known to be pro-Viet
Cong as alleged by some of his enemies.
Lt. Col. Nguyen Van THIEN Chief, Armor Command (Armored Bri-
gade). Loyalty unknown. He was
awarded an honor by GVN in July.
Considerable disaffection among
armored troops was reported by Dep
CoS for Opns in mid-July.
Col. Nguyen Van THIEU
Brig. Gen. Do Cao TRI
Commander, 5th Inf, Div, Bien Hoa
about 20 miles north of Saigon in
III Corps. Reported to be Catholic
and close to Nhu.
Commander of 1st Division in I Corps
and military governor in Hud. Also
defacto commander of I Corps.,
Young, dynamic and capable, believed
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Col. Le Quang TUNG
Lt. Gen. Ly Van TY
Col, Cao Van VIEN
to be Catholic. Appears extremely
ambitious; recently promoted from
Colonel.
Commander, Special Forces. Catholic
loyal to Nhu. Reported generally
disliked by most of army. Once al-
leged to be number-;three man in GVN
after Diem and Nhu.
Chief of Joint General staff of
Vietnamese Armed Forces (ARVN),
elderly and largely figurehead,
currently in US for medical treat-
ment. Buddhist.
Commander, Airborne Brigade. (6
bns, 1 mortar bty). Appointed to
post after paratroops attempted
coup in '60 and deemed personally
loyal to regime. Reported, how-
ever, to have indicated some sympathy
recently with student demonstrators
he was trying to discipline. Con-
siderable disaffection alleged among
paratroops.
? Brig, Gen, Mai Huu XUAN Commanding Officer, Quang Trung Mil
Training Center north of Saigon.
Buddhist. Has been reported close
to Gen, Don,
Col, Nguyen Van Y
Director General National Police
and Commissioner of Central Intel-
ligence Organization.
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Political Figures Outside Government
1. Buddhists
(Rev.) Thich Tinh KHIET
Thich Tinh MINI!
Thich Tri QUANG
Mai Tho TRUYEN
Supreme High Priest in General Asso-
ciation of Vietnamese Buddhists
(GAVB). From Hue. National leader,
but in his 80's. Prisoner of GVN
and reported ill in hospital.
Also from central Vietnam and leader
in Hud. Identified with militant
clergy. Reported arrested.
Militant head of clergy in central
Vietnam (Hue) who was instrumental
in initial 8 May incident and in-
creasingly prominent in direction
of Buddhist campaign, possibly with
some political motivation. Young
and politically aware, but reported
tubercular. Apparently eluded GVN
capture.
Head of lay organization of GAVB (Bud-
dhist Studies Association) at Ka Loi
Pagoda, Saigon. Official of World
Fellowship of Buddhists. Believed to
be moderate and respected leader. Re-
lations with GVN in past not known,
but not considered close to regime.
Apparently played relatively minor
role in Buddhist campaign after initial
stages, but this uncertain.
2. Other Oppositionists, or Persons Outside Government
Tran Quoc BUU
President of General Confederation
of Labor. Considered one of ablest
Vietnamese leaders, intelligent and
runs the only effective labor union.
Can Lao member who has stayed on good
terms with Nhu, but has frequently
expressed criticism of the Diem re-
gime and of Nhu.
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Bui DIEM Dal Viet member, purported force be-
hind Dan Van Sung, has claimed to
have ties with Buddhist Tri Quang.
Pham Huy CO An exile in Paris since 1954 and once
the representative abroad of opposi-
tionist Dr. Pham Quang Dan. Has now
proclaimed his own "Revolutionary
Council" dedicated to regime's over-
throw and claims support inside SVN
where some leaflets apparently were
work of his followers. A physician
who has frequently sought US b eking,
believed relatively capable but not
forceful
Pham Quang DAN
Tran Van DO
Physician, now imprisoned for active
endorsement of '60 coup attempt which
he attempted to take lead in after it
began but was not in on plot. Known
as head of opposition parties and as
elected assemblyman not permitted to
take his seat in 1959. One of better
known public opposition figures,
25X6
25X6
Brother of recent Ambassador to US
Chuong and uncle of Mme. Nhu, Was 25X6
Diem's first Foreign Minister, but
broke with regime in 1955 and formed
largely discussion-type opposition
group. Signed Caravelle petition and
has variously been briefly arrested
by GVN but exonerated in recent July
trials. Respected opposition figure
but not considered activi?t.
Lt. Col. Vuong Van DONG Leader of paratroop coup in 1960 and
exile in Cambodia until recently went
to Paris; may now reside in Geneva.
Politically somewhat navie, and re-
cently joining forces with Co and Tran
Van Huu, who pushes a neutralist line.
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Tran Trung DUNG
Nguyen Ton ROAN
Tran Van HUU
Huynh Van LANG
Phan Huy QUAT
Diem's Defense Minister until mid-
1961 but a casualty of the '60 coup
aftermath. Has long record of anti-
French, nationalist activity, one-
time Can Lao member backing Diem,
but now on outs. Reported to be in-
telligent, able, and a figure of some
prestige.
Paris exile and leader of southern
faction of Dai Viet who has frequently
drummed for US support. Once served
in Bao Dai cabinet, but became early
disaffected. Believed to be fairly
capable and to enjoy some support in
SYN, but no organized backing on the
scale claimed.
Enjoys some following among Paris
exiles as a former Prime Minister of
Bao Dai's. However, is now playing
footsy with several exiles believed
to be working with DRV and is openly
advocating neutralist solution.
Former close ties with regime as Can
Lao finance chief and Head Foreign
Exchange. Fired by Nhu after agitat-
ing against Cabinct Ministers d Luong
and Thuan in lottery scandal. Now
reported coup-plotting against crack-
down on Buddhists with alleged ties
in academic circles.
Dai Viet (northern faction) and
founder of Front for National Unity-,
opposition movement permitted to or-
ganize under GVN's eye (and control)
in 1961 as attempt to indicate re-
forms in wake of '60 coup, Quat was
signer PI Caravelle petition and con-
sidered relatively moderate opposition-
1st who appears reasonably capable,
also self-seeking, but probably not
too dynamic.
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Dan Van SUNG
Pham Khac SUU
Hoang Co THUY
Dai Viet leader Who also organized
an opposition movement, the Prent
for DemocratizatiOn, in the Wake Of
the '60 coup. Movement has net been
active and appears have little real
organized following. Physician.
Diem's first Agriculture Minister who
soon split with the regime. Was only
important oppositionist.allowed to
sit in National Assembly, but was im-
prisoned in wake of 1960 coup And Still
detained (sentence heaviest givenCi-
vilian in SVN this July--8 years) al-
though he apparently was totally unin-
volved. Was a key figure behind Cara-
velle petition but did not sign. One
of best-known opposition figures.
Now in exile in Switzerland where he
fled after playing role of leading
civilian adviser to paratroop coup
group. Thuy was prominent Saigon op-
positionist and lawyer for many oppo-
sitionists in trouble with Diem regime.
Also was instrumental in many efforts
to forge unified opposition movements.
Not now reported politically active.
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