Đặng Văn Quang
Đặng Văn Quang | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 June 1929 Lieutenant General |
| Commands held | 21st Division (1964–1965) IV Corps (1965–1966) |
| Other work | Special Advisor on Military Affairs (1968–1969) Advisor of National Security and Intelligence (1969–1975) |
Lieutenant General Đặng Văn Quang (21 June 1929 – 15 July 2011) popularly known as Fat Quang, was an officer of the
Biography
Quang started as a
He commanded the 21st Division from 1 June 1964, until 20 January 1965, when he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant general, receiving two further stars.[2]
He then served as the commander of
On 23 November 1966, at the urging of Prime Minister
Following Thiệu's election as President in September 1967 he served as Minister of Planning.[3]: 267 On 18 April 1968 Thiệu appointed him as special assistant for military affairs and security.[3]: 311 He then served as advisor on national security and intelligence from 1969 to 1975.
According to Frank Snepp, Quang became an important source of information for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) inside the South Vietnamese government and was well rewarded for this.[4]: 14–5 However following the Battle of Ban Me Thuot in March 1975 he failed to inform the CIA of Thiệu's plan to abandon the Central Highlands, jeopardizing the evacuation of Americans and their South Vietnamese staff.[4]: 495 [5]: 206
He was not popular with the people of South Vietnam and had a reputation for corruption.[6] He was accused of being the most corrupt officer in South Vietnam.[5]: 172 As the North Vietnamese overran the South in 1975 Đăng was reported to charge a US$5,000 bribe for the issuance of an exit visa, rising to US$20,000 as the Fall of Saigon drew closer.[6]
On 29 April 1975 he arrived at the U.S. Embassy where he was evacuated later that day.[4]: 495
Quang was accused of being involved in the heroin trade, however, these allegations are disputed.[7] Following a visit to Canada in 1975 he was barred from returning to the US until 1989 when he was cleared of all drug charges.[8]
He died on 15 July 2011 at the age of 82.[9]
Honour
Grand Cross of the National Order of Vietnam
Army Distinguished Service Order, First Class
Air Force Distinguished Service Order, First Class
Navy Distinguished Service Order, First Class
Gallantry Cross
Hazardous Service Medal
Leadership Medal
Staff Service Medal, First Class
Training Service Medal, First Class
Civil Actions Medal, First Class
Vietnam Campaign Medal
References
- ^ R.V. Scheide (4 December 2008). "The trial of General Dang". Sacramento News & Review. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
- ^ ISBN 1-57607-040-9.
- ^ .
- ^ ISBN 0394407431.
- ^ ISBN 9781594035722.
- ^ ISBN 978-1555716257.
- ^ Merle Pribbenow (11 November 2009). "Drugs, Corruption, and Justice in Vietnam and Afghanistan: A Cautionary Tale". Retrieved 30 July 2021.
- ^ Bobby Ghosh (28 October 2009). "Who's Who on the CIA Payroll General Dan Van Quang". Time. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
- ^ Van Phu, Bui (June 7, 2011). "Đời bi kịch của một vị tướng VNCH" (in Vietnamese). BBC Vietnamese. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
Bibliography
- Max Hastings, Vietnam : An Epic Tragedy, 1945 - 1975, Harper Perennial, New York City, October 15, 2019.
- 馬克斯‧黑斯廷斯（原文作者），譚天（譯者），《越南啟示錄1945-1975：美國的夢魘、亞洲的悲劇》（上、下冊不分售），八旗文化，臺北市，2022/04/08。
