Cao Van Vien
South Vietnamese general · Vietnam · On the map · Politicians · Lived 1921 to 2008 · aged 86
Cao Văn Viên was a four-star army general in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He rose to the position of Chairman of the South Vietnamese Joint General Staff.
Cao Van Vien is read about 116 times a day, in 11 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 23 June 2026
The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 60 days, one point a day.
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Photos 7
National Order of Vietnam, Knight, awarded to Col. Viên for his actions at the Battle of Kiến Phong in 1964.
General William Westmoreland presents the Silver Star to General Cao Van Vien, May 1967
The secret U.S. bombing campaign in Cambodia was accidentally revealed by Defense Minister Viên in August 1967
ARVN soldiers defend Saigon during the Tet Offensive
Gen. Viên accompanied Prime Minister Kỳ and President Thiệu to this meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii, in July 1968 with President Lyndon Johnson.
The Legion of Merit, Commander, awarded to General Viên in 1969Awards
About this person
Considered one of "the most gifted" of South Vietnam's military leaders, he was previously called an "absolute key figure" and one of "the most important Vietnamese military leaders" in the U.S.-led fighting during the Vietnam War. Along with Trần Thiện Khiêm he was one of only two four-star generals in the entire history of South Vietnam.
