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John S. McCain POW CIA-Defense Department Documents

 CIA memo on Diem coup in Vietnam as it was taking place Page 1

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) memo communicating to the White House the events of the anti-Diem coup in Vietnam as the coup was taking place. Page 1
 

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CIA-memo-on-anti-Diem-coup-in-Vietnam-as-it-was-taking-place-Page-1


                                                                                                                               OCI No. 3238/63

CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
1 November 1963

CURRENT INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
SUBJECT: Progress of the Coup d'Etat in Saigon
(As of 0800 EST)
1. At 1345 Saigon time today, General Don
telephoned General Stilwell, MACV J-3, stating that
all the Vietnamese generals were with him at Joint
General Staff (JGS) Headquarters and that a coup
was under way. Soon after that, reports were received
that the coup forces had seized control of
such key installations as the defense ministry, the
central police station, the communications ministry
and the radio station. Coup troops involved in
these actions appeared principally to be marine,
airborne, and armored elements. Conein reported
from the JGS that General Ton That Dinh was the key
to the generals' coup; when he agreed, the coup
began.

2. The Presidential Guard barracks were occupied
by the coup forces after some slight fighting.
The Special Forces compound at Saigon airport
was similarly occupied with some fighting. Special
Forces Commander Tung was captured as were other
pro-Diem figures such as Police Commissioner Tu,
Air Force Commander Hien, Airborne Commander Col.
Vien, and Marine Commander Khang.

3. Thereafter, seige was laid to the palace
and the coup generals began contacting Diem and Nhu
by phone, demanding their immediate resignation.
The coup generals were seeking a yes or no answer
from the president. On the first call to the palace
in mid-afternoon Diem allegedly was not present, and
General "Big" Minh spoke to Nhu. In order to show
Nhu the strength of the coup movement, the various
 

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President Richard Nixon's Enemies List - Documents, White House Recordings and Interviews