Pentagon study shows Kennedy approved 1963 Saigon coup
New York Times reports secret Pentagon Vietnam study stating Kennedy knew and backed the 1963 anti-Diem coup. It details CIA ties through Lucien Conein and Henry Lodge, White House messages, and that U.S. complicity deepened involvement, with warnings of disengagement ignored.
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Pentagon
New York Times
Neil Sheehan
Mr. Sheehan
Hedrick Smith
E.W. Kenworthy
Fox Butterfield
New York Times News Service
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Kennedy
Ngo Dinh
Payton
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United States
Washington
South Vietnam
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U.S
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Diem
Ngo Dinh Nhu
Nhu
White House
Central Intelligence Agency
Indochina
Lucien Conein
Conein
C.I.A
Henry Cabot Lodge
Washington Split Over Diem Coup Foreshadowed By 1963 Cable Clash
The Pentagon study details how Ambassador Lodge clashed with Harkins and Diem’s regime, revealing U.S. doubts about backing Diem and signaling a shift toward pressure for reforms. It notes the Aug 24 1963 cable and subsequent actions shaping Saigon politics and the coup’s fate.
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Saigon
U.S
Armed Forces
Tran van Don
le van Kim
Nhu
Lodge
State Department
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Ambassador Lodge
General Harkins
John H. Richardson
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Richardson
C.I. Headquarters
New York Times
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Ball
Kennedy
Cowein
C.I.A
Joint Chiefs of Staff
National Security Council
Council
Defense
Robert S. McNamara
John A. McCone
Central Intelligence
Taylor
Hilsman Book
Nolting
U.S. Backing for Saigon Coup Detailed in Kennedy Era Messages
A Pentagon study and declassified cables reveal U S and CIA involvement guiding plans to oust Ngo Dinh Diem in 1963. Ambassadors Harkins and Lodge coordinate with Saigon plotters while Washington weighs aid suspension and public distancing. President Kennedy pledges full support and asks for ongoing coup prospects updates.
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Lodge
Harkins
U.S
Minh
Col. Conein
Nhu
Washington
C.I.A
Saigon
National Security Council
State Department
N.S.C
Diem
U.S.G
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Kennedy
Internal debate over Vietnam policy as Diem crisis deepens
Secret minutes reveal Hilsman arguing against a strong Nhú dominated regime and Johnson McNamara opposing a coup. Kennedy aides pressed plans to reassess Vietnam while Diem disengagement options surfaced, with Krulak and Mendenhall returning from a four day tour with conflicting findings See DIEM On Page AS
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Hilsman Reini
Washington
Nhu
Kattenburg
U.S
Johnson
Rusk
McNamara
Vietnam
Saigon
Pentagon
Kennedy
Diem
Lodge
Security Council
Robert F. Kennedy
Victor H. Krulak
Joseph A. Mendenhall
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W. Averell Harriman
Michael V. Forrestal
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Tran Thien Khiem
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Nguyen Khanh
II Corps
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Mekong Delta
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Ngo Brothers
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Paul M. Kattenburg
Henry Cabot
Dean Ruse
John F. Kennedy
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