Duong Van Minh was born in 1916. Duong Van Minh was educated in France and joined the French army. He became a commander during the end of the First Indochina War. After the Geneva Accords were agreed upon, Duong Van Minh led the Army of South Vietnam (ARVN) and became a military advisor to Ngo Dinh Diem in 1962. However, he was removed from his position after Diem became suspicious of his actions a year after.

In 1963, Doung Van Minh was a member of the coup that overthrew Diem. He became the leader of South Vietnam. This was short lived, as he was exiled in 1964 as a result of another coup. Doung Van Minh returned in 1968 to oppose Nguyen Van Thieu. He ran for presidency in 1971 but withdrew because he thought the election was rigged. He then became president in 1975 but was removed after the Communist had unified Vietnam.

Photos Courtesy of Vietnam Photos