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Today in History: Generals Phát and Duc launch coup after demotion

By Drooid · Sep 13, 2026, 10:34 AM UTC · How we work

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Summary

Story summary

Before dawn on 13 September 1964, South Vietnamese Generals Lâm Van Phát and Duong Van Duc, angry over Khánh’s demotions, moved troops into Saigon, seized strategic points and announced on radio the overthrow of the junta. With U.S. assistance, General Nguyen Khánh rallied loyal forces, and the coup collapsed by morning, leaving no casualties.

1 of 1

Story summary

Before dawn on 13 September 1964, South Vietnamese Generals Lâm Van Phát and Duong Van Duc, angry over Khánh’s demotions, moved troops into Saigon, seized strategic points and announced on radio the overthrow of the junta. With U.S. assistance, General Nguyen Khánh rallied loyal forces, and the coup collapsed by morning, leaving no casualties.