Before dawn on January 30 , 1964 , General Nguyễn Khánh ousted Change_of_leadership the military junta led by General Dương Văn Minh from the leadership of South Vietnam without firing a shot .

Distrusted Judgment_communication by his colleagues because of his tendency to change sides and his reputation as an intriguer , Khánh was assigned Deciding to I Corps in the far north of the country after Diệm 's overthrow Change_of_leadership to keep him away from the capital Saigon .

Khánh , who had played a minor role in Diệm 's overthrow Change_of_leadership , joined Connect forces with Generals Trần Thiện Khiêm , Nguyễn Văn Thiệu , who felt Change_sentiment they deserved better posts in the junta , and Colonels Nguyễn Chánh Thi and Đỗ Mậu , the latter being the director of military security under Diệm and an effective strategist .

Khánh and his fellow plotters exploited this to spread rumors that Minh 's junta was about to make a deal with Hanoi and then gained the support of the US , most notably through the chief of military forces in Vietnam , General Paul Harkins , who supported Diệm and opposed Minh 's November coup .

Khánh grudgingly decided Deciding to keep Minh as a figurehead chief of state while maintaining real power in his hands as Minh was popular within the army and the Americans wanted a show of unity to be maintained Statement .

Khánh also tried to consolidate his standing in the military by promoting Cause_change_of_position_on_a_scale a group of younger officers , and increasing the pay Commerce_pay of the enlisted men .

However , when they were brought Bringing to a military trial presided over by Khánh , the junta leader did not provide any evidence and convicted them of `` lax morality '' .

Khánh then allowed Preventing_or_letting them back to meaningless desk jobs , but the show trial brought him much embarrassment .

Khánh later admitted that there was no basis to the charges of neutralism against the four generals , and after a tumultuous year in power , Khánh was himself deposed in February 1965 and forced Motion into exile .

Khánh later admitted that there was no basis to the charges of neutralism against the four generals , and after a tumultuous year in power , Khánh was himself deposed in February 1965 and forced Motion into exile .