Presidential Guard (South Vietnam)
Presidential Guard | |
---|---|
Lữ đoàn Liên binh phòng vệ Tổng Thống Phủ | |
Saigon | |
Engagements | 1960 South Vietnamese coup attempt 1962 South Vietnamese Independence Palace bombing 1963 South Vietnamese coup d'état |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Lê Quang Tung Lê Ngọc Triển Nguyễn Hữu Duệ Phạm Văn Hưởng Huỳnh Văn Lạc Tôn Thất Đính Nguyễn Ngọc Khôi |
Insignia | |
Unit badge and Hat badge |
The Presidential Guard (
History
1960 coup
During the 1960 South Vietnamese coup attempt 60 members of the Guard defended the Independence Palace when it came under attack by ARVN paratroops in the early morning of 11 November. The paratroops had been informed that the Guard had mutinied and captured Diem. Meanwhile, other rebel forces had captured most of the key sites of state control including the Cộng Hòa barracks. The Guards in the palace building and grounds successfully defended the area forcing the paratroops to bring in additional men and then five armored vehicles but they were unable to overrun the Guards and the coup collapsed when Diem brought in loyalist forces.[2]: 108–9
1963 coup
During the
Vietnam War
During the Tet Offensive Guard units successfully defended the Independence Palace when it was attacked by a 14-person team from the VC F100 Special Action Group. The VC attempted to blast their way through the south gate to the palace (10°46′33″N 106°41′49″E / 10.7757°N 106.6969°E) but were engaged by Guards supported by two M41 tanks, killing four VC. The VC then retreated across the street into an unfinished apartment building where they held out for 30 hours before the seven survivors surrendered after having exhausted all their ammunition.[4]
Headquarters
The headquarters and barracks of the Guard were located at the
Personnel and equipment
In August 1963 the Guard was commanded by Lieutenant colonel Nguyễn Ngọc Khoi and had an estimated strength of 2,500 men.[6] Its heavy weapons included 10 M24 Chaffee tanks, six M113 armored personnel carriers, six M114 armored fighting vehicles, vehicles with M45 Quadmounts, recoilless rifles and bazookas.[7]
See also
- Republic of Vietnam’s Military Forces
- Republic of Vietnam National Police
References
- ^ Y, Diễn Đàn Cựu Sinh Viên Quân. "Diễn Đàn Cựu Sinh Viên Quân Y Hiện Dịch". www.svqy.org. Retrieved 2018-06-21.
- ISBN 9781139459211.
- ^ ISBN 0195052862.
- .
- ^ ISBN 9786047761388.
- ^ "Current Intelligence Memorandum Cast of characters in South Vietnam" (PDF). Central Intelligence Agency. 28 August 1963. p. 5. Retrieved 8 October 2019. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Memorandum From the Deputy Director for Plans, Central Intelligence Agency (Helms), to the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Hilsman)". Central Intelligence Agency. August 1963. p. Attachment 3 Section II 2a. Retrieved 8 October 2019. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.