Office of the Historian

267. Telegram From the Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (Harkins) to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Taylor)1

Saigon, November 1, 1963—6:25 p.m.

MAC J00 8512. Personal for General Taylor and Admiral Felt from General Harkins. Subject: Coup.

1.
Instead of getting four hours or two days notice, we got approximately four minutes. I returned from the airfield when in company with General Don and others we said goodbye to Admiral Felt, had lunch, and then back to the office. General Stilwell came into the office about 1345 hrs and said he had just received a telephone call in the clear from General Don saying that the General had decided to move and to notify General Harkins and his American friends. General Stilwell asked when they were going to move. General Don said immediately.”
2.
At this time firing was reported in the vicinity of the Spec Fcs HQ near Tan Son Nhut. Apparently ARVN troops were closing in on the HQ in an effort to take Col Tung prisoner.
3.
Is now 1700 and during the afternoon there has been sporadic firing at a couple of planes who did some very poor bombing if they were aiming at the Palace. In fact, they hit our Embassy Marine House but apparently nobody was hurt.
4.
I just talked to the Ambassador. He said that Big Minh and Don were trying to get in touch with the President and ask him to resign and Don and Minh promised the President and Mr. Nhu safe conduct out of the country if they would resign.
5.
It is difficult to say at this time what the line-up of coup and counter coup forces is. The CNO, Captain Quyen, was reported killed this morning. The paratroopers took over the Navy HQ, put them on a ship and sent them down the river. The ARVN has taken over the communications and somebody else took over the civilian Police headquarters. The head of the Air Force, the head of the Paratroopers, the head of the Marine Brigade, the head of the Civil Guard, head of the Police force, and Colonel Tung were all prisoners in the Tan Son Nhut area. Unconfirmed.
6.
At this time it is reported that the Palace is surrounded with the troops in position to attack if attack is necessary.
7.
Until this thing settles down I am requesting that visitors be discouraged from coming to Vietnam. We don’t know as of yet who the military have picked for leaders on the civilian side. Brig Gen Stilwell’s house which is next to the old Palace received a few bullet holes as the troops went by on their way to Gia Long Palace. Betty2 reports considerable shooting in the vicinity of my home though none of the shooting has been directed at the house as yet. There is an antiaircraft gun on the roof of the house across the street which has been quite active.
8.
Don told Adm Felt and me that he was going to move two ABN battalions to Tay Ninh this morning. However, the move was to Saigon rather than the two places he indicated.
9.
As of now it looks like we have two ABN, two Marine and two ARVN battalions in town with another parachute and ARVN bn enroute from the training camp in Vung Tau.
10.
I have directed all US mil personnel to stay off the streets and not to take sides. I have also directed that the main thing now is to watch uprisings by the VC. I am sure they will take advantage of this to create a series of acts of terrorism within and without the city. All the police throughout the city have been disarmed, yet the streets seem crowded with people. Other than that, everything is quiet. All I can say is, there is never a dull moment here in Saigon. Warm regards.
11.
P.S. All is now quiet. Some heavy stuff. Sounds like tank fire has just started. Oh me!!
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 26 S VIET. Secret; Exclusive; Eyes Only. Repeated to CINCPAC. The source text is the copy sent by the JCS to the Department of State exclusive for Rusk, Ball, Harriman, and Hilsman. The telegram was also sent to the White House exclusive for Bundy. Received at the Department of State at 2:35 p.m.↩
  2. Mrs. Harkins.↩