Home > Vietnam War > Nguyen Cao Ky Biography

Born September 8, 1930
Son Tay, Vietnam

South Vietnamese military officer and political
leader; premier of South Vietnam, 1965–67

Nguyen Cao Ky was a top pilot in the South Vietnamese air force during the early years of the Vietnam War. He quickly increased his military rank and political power as the government of South Vietnam changed several times in the early 1960s. In 1964 Ky became head of South Vietnam's air force. A year later, he helped overthrow the government and became the youngest premier in Vietnamese history. Although Ky made some positive changes as the leader of South Vietnam's government, he also launched a violent crackdown against Buddhists who disagreed with his policies.

A top South Vietnamese military pilot

Nguyen Cao Ky was born September 8, 1930, in Son Tay province. Ky's hometown...