15. Nguyen Cao Ky
Nguyen Cao Ky, born on September 8, 1930, in Son Tay, northern Vietnam, was a prominent South Vietnamese military and political leader during the Vietnam War. He joined the South Vietnamese Air Force after the nation was partitioned in 1954 and quickly rose through the ranks due to his fervent anti-communism and charismatic leadership. In June 1965, Ky, along with Major General Nguyen Van Thieu and General Duong Van Minh, led a military coup that ousted Premier Phan Huy Quat. (britannica.com) He served as Prime Minister from 1965 to 1967, known for his flamboyant style and militant policies. In 1967, an agreement was reached for Thieu to run for president and Ky for vice president, but Ky became an outspoken critic of Thieu’s administration. In 1971, he attempted to oppose Thieu for the presidency but was forced to withdraw and returned to the air force. Following the fall of South Vietnam in April 1975, Ky fled to the United States, where he lectured and authored books, including “Buddha’s Child: My Fight to Save Vietnam” (2002). He passed away on July 23, 2011, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (latimes.com)
