Ngo Dinh Diem (Vietnamese: Ngo Dinh Diem (January 3; 1901 - November 2; 1963) was the first President of South Vietnam (1955-1963). In the wake of the French withdrawal from Indochina as a result of the 1954 Geneva Accords; Diem led the effort to create the Republic of Vietnam.

Accruing considerable US support due to his staunch anti-Communism; he achieved victory in a 1955 plebiscite that was widely considered fraudulent. Proclaiming himself the Republic's first President; he demonstrated considerable political skill in the consolidation of his power; and his rule proved authoritarian; elitist; nepotistic; and corrupt.

He was assassinated by an aide of ARVN General Duong Van Minh on November 2; 1963; during a coup d'閠at that deposed his government. Pictures From History