1959 in the Vietnam War

1959 in the Vietnam War
← 1958
1960 →

A map of South Vietnam showing provincial boundaries and names and military zones (I, II, III, and IV Corps).
Location
Belligerents

Anti-Communist forces:

 South Vietnam
 United States
Laos Kingdom of Laos

Communist forces:

 North Vietnam
Anti-government insurgents
Laos Pathet Lao
Strength
US: 760[1] 5,000[2]: 582 
Casualties and losses
US: 4 killed from 1956–1959
South Vietnam: 138 killed
North Vietnam: 1,132 killed

1959 saw Vietnam still divided into South (ruled by President Ngô Đình Diệm) and North (led by communist Ho Chi Minh). North Vietnam authorized the Viet Cong (VC) to undertake limited military action as well as political action to subvert the Diệm government. North Vietnam also authorized the construction of what would become known as the Ho Chi Minh Trail to supply the VC in South Vietnam. Armed encounters between the VC and the government of South Vietnam became more frequent and with larger numbers involved. In September, 360 soldiers of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) were ambushed by a force of about 100 VC guerrillas.[3]: 331 

In August an election chose the members of South Vietnam's National Assembly. The election was marred by intimidation and fraud by Diệm's party which won the majority of seats. Diệm's most prominent critic, Phan Quang Đán, was elected but was prevented from serving in the Assembly.

Diệm began the year seeming to be firmly in control of South Vietnam, but VC military successes began to impact his government by the end of the year.

  1. ^ Summers, Harry (1999). Vietnam War Almanac. Facts on File Publication. Facts on File. p. 29. ISBN 978-0891416920.
  2. ^ Stewart, Richard (2009). American Military History Volume II. United States Army Center of Military History. ISBN 978-1-4191-0001-7.
  3. ^ Spector, Ronald (1983). United States Army in Vietnam: Advice and support: the early years, 1941-1960. United States Army Center of Military History. ISBN 978-0160016004.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

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