Timeline, November 11th

[David]

SECOND INDOCHINA WAR:
November 11-12, 1960 (Year of the Rat [Canh Ty]): Three battalions of South Vietnamese troops lay siege to the presidential palace in Saigon, extracting promises that President Diem will broaden the government that is now dominated by the Can Lao party and members of his own family. Even as Diem makes these promises, he summons loyal troops, who surround and disarm the rebels. Diem cracks down on "enemies of the state" and some 50,000 people are arrested.

November 11, 1961 (Year of the Ox [Tan Suu]): The departments of State and Defense prepare a memorandum on South Vietnam for JFK, the text of which can be found in United States-Vietnam Relations, 1945-1967, Book 11, pages 359-367. In it, they recommend "the decision to commit ourselves to the objective of preventing the fall of South Viet-Nam to Communism and that, in doing so, we recognize that the introduction of United States and other SEATO forces may be necessary to achieve this objective."

November 11, 1966 (Year of the Horse [Binh Ngo]) (US Counteroffensive Phase II): Operation Attleboro update: Throughout the day the 1/5th Mech conducts RIFs north of the base up to the road junction. Night ambushes make no contact and return at first light.

November 11, 1974 (Year of the Tiger [Giap Dan]): ARVN Airborne retakes Hill 1062 and establishes new defensive positions on the slopes, "leaving the furrowed, shattered crest to the dozens of NVA dead who remained there." Although heavy fighting will continue in the hills and on the ridge for several more weeks as the Airborne Division expands its control, the most violent phase of one of the bloodiest battles since the cease-fire is over. The Airborne Division has lost nearly 500 men since August 15. Nearly 2,000 have been wounded. Enemy casualties are estimated to be about 2,000 killed and 5,000 wounded. Seven of the nine airborne battalions have fought in the three-month campaign, and by mid-November six of these are on Hill 1062.

BORDER CLASHES - OTHER:
November 11, 1975 (Year of the Hare [At Mao]): Against a background of hundreds of religious leaders of all faiths imprisoned in reeducation camps since the April takeover, as well as efforts by the Communists since August to incorporate all Buddhist denominations into a single organization that will serve under the Committee of Liaison of Patriotic Buddhists' direction, the Venerable Thich Tue Hien and twelve monks and nuns of the Duoc Su Pagoda in Can Tho province set fire to themselves and die. Catholic bishop Nguyen Van Thuan is taken into custody. Hoa Hao Buddhist Luong Trong Tuong and his wife are imprisoned. Fourteen Catholic priests and followers at the St. Vincent Cathedral on Tran Quoc Toan Street, Saigon, are arrested. Reverend Nguyen Huu Nghi and two former officers of the Republic of Vietnam, Nguyen Duc Hung and Nguyen Viet Hung, will be sentenced to death without trial.

POSTBELLUM:
November 11, 1984 (Year of the Rat [Giap Ty]): A statue of three Vietnam war infantrymen is dedicated at the War Memorial on Veteran's Day.

November 11, 1993 (Year of the Rooster [Quy Dau]): Glenna Goodacre's sculpture, "Vietnam Women's Memorial," is dedicated to those women who served during the Vietnam War. It depicts a Vietnam soldier with three nurses, and is located near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.