Tôn Thất Đính

Who Was Lieutenant General Tôn Thất Đĩnh?

Tôn Thất Đĩnh was a pivotal figure in the tumultuous history of South Vietnam, serving as an officer during one of its most critical periods. Born on November 20, 1926, in Da Lat, Đĩnh’s life and career were marked by intrigue, ambition, and controversy.

Early Years

Was Đĩnh born into a military family? No, but his path to becoming an officer was not without its twists. Enlisting in the Vietnamese National Army (VNA) of the French-backed State of Vietnam at Phu Bai in 1949, Đĩnh quickly rose through the ranks. He trained as a non-commissioned officer and later attended Cavalry School in Saumur, France, where he honed his skills.

Commissioned as a lieutenant after one year of training at the Huế Military Academy, Đĩnh led the unit until November 1956, during which it was renamed the 2nd Division. Diệm deposed Bảo Đại in 1955 and proclaimed himself president of South Vietnam. Đính converted to Catholicism for career advancement and became a one-star general in 1958.

He headed the military wing of the Cần Lao party, a secret Catholic organization that maintained the Ngôs’ grip on power. By 1962, he had become the youngest ever ARVN general at 32, but was regarded as a dangerous figure with a weakness for alcohol and partying.

The November 1963 Coup

How did Đĩnh’s conversion to Catholicism influence his career? Đính converted to Roman Catholicism in an attempt to curry favor with Diệm, who was also a devout Catholic. This move proved crucial as it allowed him to rise through the ranks and eventually become a key figure in the November 1963 coup that led to the arrest and assassination of Ngô Đình Diệm.

As commander of III Corps in 1962, Đính played a crucial role in the coup plot against Diệm. After the coup, he became one of the members of the Military Revolutionary Council (MRC), but this lasted only three months before another coup by General Nguyễn Khánh. Đính worked in the media and was elected to the Senate in 1967.

He served in the upper house until the fall of Saigon in April 1975, when he fled Vietnam. His political career was marked by controversy and his actions during the coup have been widely debated. Đĩnh’s role as a key figure in the overthrow of Diệm has made him a subject of much discussion among historians.

After the Coup

What happened to Đính after the fall of Saigon? After the fall of Saigon, Đính left for the United States, initially settling in Virginia before relocating to California. In 1998, he claimed remorse for deposing and assassinating the Ngô brothers and opposed their policies on religious discrimination.

Despite his controversial past, Đĩnh’s legacy remains a subject of much debate among historians and Vietnam enthusiasts. His actions during the coup and his subsequent political career have left an indelible mark on South Vietnamese history.

In conclusion, Lieutenant General Tôn Thất Đĩnh’s life and career were a complex tapestry of ambition, loyalty, and controversy. His role in the 1963 coup against Diệm has made him a significant figure in South Vietnamese history, and his legacy continues to be studied and debated by historians.