MILITARY COUP REPORTED AGAINST DIEM REGIME IN SOUTH VIETNAM
Tokyo, Japan (JFK+50) On November 1, 1963, Associated Press reports "a military revolt with strong backing broke out today against the government of Ngo Dinh Diem in South Vietnam."
There are unconfirmed reports according to AP that Ngo's adviser-brother Ngo Dinh Nhu has been killed in the coup.
Presently there are 16,500 United States military personnel in Vietnam.
Other unconfirmed reports say the presidential palace in Saigon has been bombed and key street intersections in the city have been taken over in the military coup.
In a related story, U.S. officials say the coup is being led by "14 top generals" including Doung Van Minh, a.k.a. 'Big Minh' who is described as the most influential military figure in the country.
JFK+50 NOTE
The Kennedy administration gave "tacit" approval for the coup. JFK personally admitted this in a private Oval Office recording made shortly afterward.
SOURCES
"'Big Minh' Leads Coup, U.S. Hears," by Earl H. Voss, The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., November 1, 1963, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
"Diem Reported Ousted in Coup," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., November 1, 1963, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
"New Light in a Dark Corner! Evidence on the Diem Coup in South Vietnam, November 1963," National Security Archive, www.nsarchive.gwu.edu/
