Ngo Dinh Diem

Ngo Dinh Diem, an anti-Communist Catholic who had been living in America, returned to Vietnam as a premier. The next year, in a rigged election, Diem became president of an independent South Vietnam. Facing certain defeat by the popular Ho Chi Minh, Diem called off the reunification elections scheduled for 1956. March 1956 France left Vietnam and USA took over - American battle to contain Communism - in South East Asia. To prop him up, Eiesenhower administration sent Diem 200 Million a year in aid and 675 American Military advisors. Few Americans and even Eiesnehower had no idea where this lead. Nov. 1. 1963 Diem is overthrown and assasinated.