Lê Minh Đảo

Who is Lê Minh Đảo?

Lê Minh Đảo is a former Vietnamese Major General who led the 18th Division of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, nicknamed "The Super Men", at Xuân Lộc, the last major battle of the Vietnam War. He currently lives in the United States.

By April 1975, North Vietnamese forces were in full advance and most ARVN resistance had collapsed. Đảo's 18th Division, however, made a significant defence at the Battle of Xuân Lộc, 38 miles from Saigon. The fierce fighting raged for two weeks. The 18th Division, facing People's Army of Vietnam forces, managed to hold on for three weeks, but was overwhelmed by 21 April 1975. Saigon fell nine days later.

General Đảo was famous for his emotional battlefield interview that was broadcast around the world during the fighting in which he stated that, "The communists could throw their entire Army at Xuân Lộc, the 18th will stand fast". When pressed during the battle by Peter Arnett of the Associated Press about the hopeless situation, Đảo stated "Please tell the Americans you have seen how the 18th Division can fight and die. Now, please go!" According to Dirck Halstead, by the afternoon of April 21 he knew the battle was lost and fully expected to die before it was over.