Đăng Văn Quang

Who was Đăng Văn Quang?

Lieutenant General Đăng Văn Quang was an officer of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam who served as a Minister of Defense under President Nguyễn Văn Thiệu of South Vietnam.

Quang started as a non-commissioned officer in the French colonial army and was later promoted to Emperor Bảo Đại’s aide-de-camp, then commander of his personal Imperial Guard. He also was in charge of managing resources for Nguyễn Văn Thiệu. This led to his promotion to general.

As a brigadier general, he commanded the 21st Division from June 1, 1964, until January 20, 1965, when he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general, receiving two further stars.

He then served as the commander of IV Corps, which oversaw the Mekong Delta region of the country, replacing Nguyễn Văn Thiệu, who went on to become head of state, until 23 November 1966, when he was replaced by Major General Nguyen Van Manh.

He was not popular with the people of Vietnam and had a reputation for corruption. However, these allegations were proven to be false, and Quang was later cleared by the Honorable Matthew F. McHugh in September 1989.

He died on 15 July 2011 at the age of 82.