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Study Guide: Lê Quang Tung: Military Career and the 1963 South Vietnamese Coup

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Lê Quang Tung: Military Career and the 1963 South Vietnamese Coup Study Guide

Background and Early Career

Lê Quang Tung commenced his military career serving in the French security forces prior to his transition to service within Ngô Đình Diệm's regime.

Answer: True

Explanation: Lê Quang Tung's early career involved service in the French security apparatus before he joined the military security service under Ngô Đình Diệm's administration.

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According to Vietnamese naming conventions, LÊ Quang Tung should be addressed by his surname, LÊ.

Answer: False

Explanation: Vietnamese naming conventions typically dictate that individuals are addressed by their given name. Therefore, LÊ Quang Tung should be referred to by his given name, Tung, rather than his surname, LÊ.

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Lê Quang Tung was born in Saigon, South Vietnam.

Answer: False

Explanation: Lê Quang Tung was born in Hương Trà District, Annam, French Indochina, not in Saigon, South Vietnam.

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According to Vietnamese naming customs, how should LÊ Quang Tung be referred to?

Answer: By his given name, Tung.

Explanation: Vietnamese naming conventions typically dictate that individuals are addressed by their given name. Therefore, LÊ Quang Tung should be referred to by his given name, Tung, not his surname, LÊ.

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Where was LÊ Quang Tung born?

Answer: HƯƠNG TRÀ District, Annam, French Indochina

Explanation: Lê Quang Tung was born in Hương Trà District, Annam, which was a French protectorate at the time of his birth.

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LÊ Quang Tung's primary role before leading the special forces involved work in:

Answer: Military security and counterespionage.

Explanation: Prior to commanding the special forces, Lê Quang Tung's primary responsibilities involved military security and counterespionage operations.

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Military Leadership and Political Affiliation

Lê Quang Tung commanded the South Vietnamese Navy Special Forces.

Answer: False

Explanation: Lê Quang Tung commanded the Army of the Republic of Vietnam Special Forces, not the Navy Special Forces.

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The Cần Lao Party, with which Lê Quang Tung was affiliated, was known for its open political activities.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Cần Lao Party, with which Lê Quang Tung was affiliated, was a secret political apparatus, not known for open political activities.

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Lê Quang Tung raised funds for the Cần Lao Party through legitimate business investments.

Answer: False

Explanation: Lê Quang Tung raised funds for the Cần Lao Party primarily through extortion from wealthy businessmen, not legitimate business investments.

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Lê Quang Tung was directly subordinate to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam Joint General Staff (JGS) for operational direction.

Answer: False

Explanation: Lê Quang Tung's special forces operated under the direct command of Ngô Đình Nhu, rather than being directly subordinate to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam Joint General Staff (JGS) for operational direction.

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Lê Quang Tung was promoted directly to Colonel in 1960 and given command of the Special Forces.

Answer: True

Explanation: In 1960, Lê Quang Tung received a direct promotion to the rank of Colonel and was subsequently appointed commander of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam Special Forces.

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Lê Quang Tung's brother, Major Lê Quang Triệu, served as the commander of the Presidential Guard.

Answer: False

Explanation: Major Lê Quang Triệu, Lê Quang Tung's brother, served as deputy commander of the special forces, not as commander of the Presidential Guard.

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Lê Quang Tung was known for his disloyalty to the Ngô family.

Answer: False

Explanation: Lê Quang Tung was widely recognized for his unwavering loyalty to President Ngô Đình Diệm and the Ngô family's regime.

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What was LÊ Quang Tung's military rank and primary command?

Answer: Colonel, commanding the Army of the Republic of Vietnam Special Forces.

Explanation: Lê Quang Tung held the rank of Colonel and commanded the Army of the Republic of Vietnam Special Forces.

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Which political party was LÊ Quang Tung a high-ranking official in?

Answer: The Cần Lao Party

Explanation: Lê Quang Tung was a high-ranking official within the Cần Lao Party, a political organization closely associated with the Ngô family's rule.

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How did LÊ Quang Tung primarily raise funds for the Cần Lao Party?

Answer: By extorting money from wealthy businessmen.

Explanation: As a high-ranking official in the Cần Lao Party, Lê Quang Tung raised party funds through the practice of extorting money from affluent businessmen.

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The source suggests LÊ Quang Tung's loyalty was primarily directed towards whom?

Answer: President Ngô Đình Diệm

Explanation: The source indicates that Lê Quang Tung's primary loyalty was directed towards President Ngô Đình Diệm.

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What was the relationship between LÊ Quang Tung and Ngô Đình Nhu?

Answer: Tung was a subordinate who carried out Nhu's orders.

Explanation: Lê Quang Tung functioned as a subordinate to Ngô Đình Nhu, executing Nhu's directives, including those concerning the Xá Lợi Pagoda raid and the planning of Operation Bravo.

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Role in the Buddhist Crisis and Repression

Lê Quang Tung's special forces primarily engaged in combat operations against Viet Cong insurgents.

Answer: False

Explanation: Lê Quang Tung's special forces were primarily utilized in Saigon for the repression of political opponents to the Ngô Đình Diệm regime, rather than engaging in combat operations against Viet Cong insurgents.

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The Xá Lợi Pagoda raid in 1963 was carried out by regular ARVN troops, not Lê Quang Tung's special forces.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Xá Lợi Pagoda raid on August 21, 1963, was executed by Lê Quang Tung's special forces, acting under the orders of Ngô Đình Nhu.

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Ngô Đình Nhu ordered the raid on the Xá Lợi Pagoda.

Answer: True

Explanation: The raid on the Xá Lợi Pagoda on August 21, 1963, was executed by Lê Quang Tung's special forces acting upon the direct orders of Ngô Đình Nhu.

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The Xá Lợi Pagoda raids resulted in the deaths of thousands and the arrest of thousands of monks.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Xá Lợi Pagoda raids resulted in the deaths of hundreds of individuals and the arrest of 1,400 monks and nuns, rather than thousands of each.

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Lê Quang Tung's forces were used to suppress Buddhist protests during the 1963 Buddhist Crisis.

Answer: True

Explanation: During the 1963 Buddhist Crisis, Lê Quang Tung's special forces were deployed to suppress Buddhist protests, notably participating in the raid on the Xá Lợi Pagoda.

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What was the primary function of LÊ Quang Tung's special forces unit?

Answer: Repressing opponents of the Ngô Đình Diệm regime in Saigon.

Explanation: The primary function of Lê Quang Tung's special forces unit was the repression of political opponents within Saigon, rather than engaging in counter-insurgency operations against Viet Cong forces.

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The raid on which pagoda, during the 1963 Buddhist Crisis, was carried out by LÊ Quang Tung's forces?

Answer: The Xá Lợi Pagoda

Explanation: During the 1963 Buddhist Crisis, Lê Quang Tung's forces carried out the raid on the Xá Lợi Pagoda in Saigon.

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Who gave the orders for the Xá Lợi Pagoda raid?

Answer: Ngô Đình Nhu

Explanation: The raid on the Xá Lợi Pagoda on August 21, 1963, was executed by Lê Quang Tung's special forces acting upon the direct orders of Ngô Đình Nhu.

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What was a direct consequence of the Xá Lợi Pagoda raids?

Answer: Damaged credibility of ARVN generals among the populace.

Explanation: A direct consequence of the Xá Lợi Pagoda raids was the damage to the credibility of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) generals among the populace, as Nhu had manipulated them into appearing responsible.

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How did Ngô Đình Nhu manipulate ARVN generals regarding the pagoda raids?

Answer: He tricked them into agreeing to martial law and then used Tung's forces, disguised as army troops, to carry out the raids.

Explanation: Ngô Đình Nhu manipulated ARVN generals by inducing them to agree to martial law, subsequently using Lê Quang Tung's special forces, disguised as regular army troops, to conduct the pagoda raids, thereby implicating the generals.

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Why did the ARVN generals resent LÊ Quang Tung's special forces?

Answer: Because Tung's forces disguised themselves as army troops during the pagoda raids, framing the generals.

Explanation: The ARVN generals harbored resentment towards Lê Quang Tung's special forces due to their actions during the pagoda raids, where they were disguised as regular army troops, thereby implicating the generals in the controversial events.

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What was the context of the Buddhist Crisis in 1963?

Answer: Mass protests by Buddhists against the pro-Catholic policies of the Diệm regime.

Explanation: The 1963 Buddhist Crisis stemmed from widespread protests by South Vietnam's Buddhist majority against the pro-Catholic policies enacted by the Ngô Đình Diệm regime.

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What did Diệm claim to U.S. officials regarding responsibility for the pagoda attacks?

Answer: He insisted the regular army, not his special forces, was responsible.

Explanation: President Diệm asserted to U.S. officials that the regular army, rather than his special forces, was responsible for the pagoda attacks.

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Infiltration Operations and US Relations

The CIA considered Lê Quang Tung to be the most powerful military officer in South Vietnam.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) assessed Lê Quang Tung as the third most powerful individual in South Vietnam and the most influential military officer.

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Lê Quang Tung's special forces were instrumental in the successful infiltration program into North Vietnam.

Answer: False

Explanation: The infiltration program into North Vietnam, managed by Lê Quang Tung, was largely ineffective and faced significant criticism due to high casualty rates among operatives.

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Lê Quang Tung planned to assassinate Vietnamese Buddhist leader Thích Trí Quang.

Answer: True

Explanation: At the behest of Ngô Đình Nhu, Lê Quang Tung was reportedly involved in planning an assassination plot targeting Buddhist leader Thích Trí Quang, as well as U.S. Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge Jr.

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The Krulak-Mendenhall mission recommended immediate termination of all U.S. aid to South Vietnam.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Krulak-Mendenhall mission concluded without resolving U.S. concerns, resulting in a stalemate. While some recommendations involved terminating aid to specific units, it did not recommend the immediate termination of all U.S. aid to South Vietnam.

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The suspension of U.S. aid to the special forces led Diệm and Nhu to immediately seek a political settlement.

Answer: False

Explanation: Despite the suspension of U.S. aid to the special forces, Diệm and Nhu remained undeterred, maintaining Lê Quang Tung's forces in Saigon and not immediately seeking a political settlement.

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The U.S. suggested running covert campaigns against Lê Quang Tung as a response to the pagoda raids.

Answer: True

Explanation: In response to the pagoda raids, U.S. officials considered options such as terminating aid to the special forces or initiating covert campaigns to discredit Lê Quang Tung.

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How did the CIA rank LÊ Quang Tung's influence within South Vietnam?

Answer: As the third most powerful person, and the most powerful military officer.

Explanation: The CIA assessed Lê Quang Tung as the third most powerful individual in South Vietnam and the most influential military officer.

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What was the U.S. reaction following the pagoda raids?

Answer: The U.S. threatened to withhold aid to the special forces unless they were redirected to fight communists.

Explanation: Following the pagoda raids, U.S. officials issued a warning to withhold aid to the special forces unless their deployment was redirected towards combating communist forces.

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The infiltration program into North Vietnam, managed by LÊ Quang Tung, was characterized by:

Answer: Significant criticism of Tung's management due to high casualty rates.

Explanation: The infiltration program into North Vietnam, under Lê Quang Tung's management, was largely ineffective and faced significant criticism due to high casualty rates among operatives.

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Which U.S. official was reportedly targeted in an assassination plot allegedly involving LÊ Quang Tung?

Answer: Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge Jr.

Explanation: U.S. Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. was reportedly a target in an alleged assassination plot orchestrated by Ngô Đình Nhu and planned by Lê Quang Tung.

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What was the outcome of the Krulak-Mendenhall mission?

Answer: It ended in a stalemate, failing to resolve U.S. concerns.

Explanation: The Krulak-Mendenhall mission concluded without resolving the U.S. government's concerns regarding the political situation in South Vietnam, resulting in a stalemate.

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Where were recruits for the North Vietnam infiltration program trained?

Answer: In bases like Nha Trang and Đà Nẵng, and sometimes offshore locations like Taiwan.

Explanation: Recruits for the North Vietnam infiltration program underwent training at bases located in Nha Trang and Đà Nẵng, as well as offshore locations such as Taiwan, Guam, and Okinawa. Operatives were deployed in small units for intelligence gathering and sabotage.

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What was the alleged plan involving LÊ Quang Tung and the U.S. Embassy in Saigon?

Answer: To assassinate Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. during a staged demonstration and potentially burn the embassy.

Explanation: An alleged plan involving Lê Quang Tung included the assassination of U.S. Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. and other officials during a staged demonstration outside the U.S. Embassy, with the potential for arson against the embassy itself.

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The 1963 Coup: Deception and Downfall

Operation Bravo was a genuine coup attempt planned by ARVN generals against the Diệm regime.

Answer: False

Explanation: Operation Bravo was a planned fake coup orchestrated by Diệm and Nhu, intended to lure and eliminate dissidents, not a genuine coup attempt by ARVN generals.

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General Tôn Thất Định deceived Lê Quang Tung by convincing him to move his forces into Saigon for the fake coup.

Answer: False

Explanation: General Tôn Thất Định deceived Lê Quang Tung not by convincing him to move forces into Saigon for the fake coup, but by persuading him to move his forces *out* of Saigon, thereby leaving the capital vulnerable for the *actual* coup.

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Lê Quang Tung's special forces companies were moved out of Saigon on November 1, 1963.

Answer: False

Explanation: Lê Quang Tung's special forces companies were moved out of Saigon on October 29, 1963, preceding the coup on November 1, 1963.

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Lê Quang Tung was arrested during a planned officers' lunch meeting on November 1, 1963.

Answer: True

Explanation: On November 1, 1963, Lê Quang Tung was summoned to the Joint General Staff headquarters under the pretext of an officers' lunch meeting, where he was subsequently arrested by coup organizers.

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Lê Quang Tung applauded enthusiastically when the coup was announced.

Answer: False

Explanation: When the coup was announced, most officers applauded, but Lê Quang Tung notably did not, leading to his immediate arrest.

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Lê Quang Tung was executed by firing squad alongside President Diệm.

Answer: False

Explanation: Lê Quang Tung and his brother were executed by firing squad near the air base, while President Diệm and Ngô Đình Nhu were captured and executed separately within the Presidential Palace.

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Lê Quang Tung's brother, Major Lê Quang Triệu, was also executed during the coup.

Answer: True

Explanation: Lê Quang Tung's brother, Major Lê Quang Triệu, who served as deputy commander of the special forces, was executed alongside Lê Quang Tung following the coup.

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Operation Bravo was designed by Diệm and Nhu primarily to:

Answer: Create a fake coup to lure and eliminate dissidents.

Explanation: Operation Bravo was designed by Diệm and Nhu as a fabricated coup intended to lure anti-government dissidents into participating, thereby facilitating their elimination.

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How did General Tôn Thất Định contribute to the success of the actual coup against Diệm?

Answer: By ordering Tung to move his forces out of Saigon, leaving the city vulnerable.

Explanation: General Tôn Thất Định contributed to the success of the coup by deceiving Lê Quang Tung into moving his special forces out of Saigon, thereby rendering the capital defenseless against the coup plotters.

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On what date were LÊ Quang Tung's special forces companies moved out of Saigon?

Answer: October 29, 1963

Explanation: Lê Quang Tung's special forces companies were relocated from Saigon on October 29, 1963, as part of a strategic deception.

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LÊ Quang Tung was arrested on November 1, 1963, after:

Answer: Failing to applaud the announcement of the coup.

Explanation: Lê Quang Tung was arrested on November 1, 1963, following his failure to applaud the announcement of the coup, an action that distinguished him from other officers present.

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What did LÊ Quang Tung shout as he was being arrested during the coup?

Answer: 'Remember who gave you your stars!'

Explanation: As he was being apprehended during the coup, Lê Quang Tung exclaimed, 'Remember who gave you your stars!'

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How did the coup organizers neutralize LÊ Quang Tung's special forces?

Answer: By forcing Tung at gunpoint to order his men to surrender.

Explanation: The coup organizers neutralized Lê Quang Tung's special forces by compelling him, under threat of force, to order his troops to surrender.

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LÊ Quang Tung and his brother were executed:

Answer: By shooting near the air base and buried in graves.

Explanation: Lê Quang Tung and his brother, Major Lê Quang Triệu, were executed by firing squad near the air base and subsequently buried in graves.

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What was the stated purpose of Operation Bravo, beyond identifying dissidents?

Answer: To create a public relations stunt demonstrating regime strength.

Explanation: Beyond the objective of identifying dissidents, Operation Bravo was intended as a public relations maneuver to project an image of strength and stability for the Diệm regime.

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What was the role of Major LÊ Quang Triệu during the coup?

Answer: He was LÊ Quang Tung's brother and deputy commander, executed with him.

Explanation: Major Lê Quang Triệu, brother and deputy commander to Lê Quang Tung, was executed alongside him following the coup.

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What strategic consequence resulted from LÊ Quang Tung's special forces being moved out of Saigon?

Answer: It increased the likelihood of a successful coup against President Diệm.

Explanation: The relocation of Lê Quang Tung's special forces from Saigon significantly increased the probability of a successful coup against President Diệm, as it left the capital more vulnerable.

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What was the intended purpose of the fake counter-coup within Operation Bravo?

Answer: To allow Tung's forces to re-enter Saigon triumphantly and round up dissidents.

Explanation: The intended purpose of the fake counter-coup within Operation Bravo was to enable Tung's forces to re-enter Saigon triumphantly, thereby facilitating the rounding up of dissidents and serving as a public relations stunt.

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Personal Life and Noteworthy Incidents

Lê Quang Tung's forces were responsible for the death of a large carp near Đà Nẵng.

Answer: True

Explanation: Lê Quang Tung's special forces were involved in an incident near Đà Nẵng where they killed a large carp that was considered sacred by local Buddhists.

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What action did LÊ Quang Tung take regarding the carp incident near Đà Nẵng?

Answer: His special forces killed the carp with grenades.

Explanation: In the incident near Đà Nẵng, Lê Quang Tung's special forces utilized grenades to kill a large carp that was revered by local Buddhists.

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