Duong Van Minh (February 16; 1916 - August 6; 2001); popularly known as "Big Minh"; was a South Vietnamese general and politician. He was a senior general in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) during the rule of Ngo Dinh Diem. In 1963; he became president after leading a coup in which Diem was assassinated. Minh lasted only three months before being toppled by Nguyen Khanh; but he led that nation again in April 1975; during the last two days of its existence; before surrendering to communist forces.