Declassified per Executive Order 13526, Section 3.3
NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
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CONFIDENTIAL
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON 25, D.C.
OFFICE OF THE
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
Mr. Gilpatric
25 APR 1961
MEMORANDUM FOR DEPUTY SECRETARY GILPATRIC
From: Brig. Gen. Lansdale
Subject: Ngo Dinh Diem
Few people outsicle Vietnarn, really know the man who was re-elected President of the Republic of Vietnam earlier this month. With your new responsibilities towards Vietnam for President Kennedy, you might find it useful to have an insight about this dedicated man drawn from my close association with him. Also, you might like to pass this along to Vice President Johnson prior to his trip.
First of all, there is his name. Ngo Dinh Diem is pronounced as "No Din Zee'em." He is properly addressed as "President Ngo," although most Americans, including myself, think of him as "President Diem." The family name is Ngo. Diem is his given name and it is customary for Vietnamese to be called by their given names. Vice President Nguyen Ngoc Tho is "Vice President Tho," (pronounced as "Tuh"). Secretary of State for the Presidency Nguyen Dinh Thuan is "Mr. Thuan," (pronounced as "Twan"). The use of "President Ngo" is a formal mark of respect. Since I think of him as "Diem," I will call him that to make the remarks come easier.
It takes a perceptive eye to see Diem's true character when meeting him. He is short and round and "mild-spoken." Many people miss his "snapping" black eyes by noting, instead, that his feet seem barely to reach the floor when he is seated. However he is not defensive about his short stature and is at ease around tall Americans. He has a very positive approach to Westerners, not the least bit concerned about differences such as Asian-Caucasian background. When the Vice President sees him, he will find him as interested in cattle as any Texan and as interested in freedom as Sam Houston.
CONFIDENTIAL
SecDefCont. No. SD-592
