Diem, Ngo Dinh

views updated

Diem, Ngo Dinh (1901–63) Vietnamese statesman, prime minister of South Vietnam (1954–63). In 1955 he formed a republic, forcing Bao Dai into exile. At first, Diem received strong US support but corruption and setbacks in the Vietnam War led to growing discontent. With covert US help, army officers staged a coup in which he was murdered.

More From encyclopedia.com