Sarendy Vong (October 3, 1929 – April 17, 1975) was a Fleet Admiral in the Khmer Republic. He held his most prominent position as the head of the Khmer National Navy (MNK) from 1970 to 1975 and as a member of the Supreme Committee which ran the Khmer republic during the Phnom Penh siege.[1]
Sarendy Vong was born in Phnom Penh on October 3, 1929. During his childhood, he lived in the village of Mong in Battambang province. At age 11, after the death of his father, the incumbent village chief, he traveled to Phnom Penh with his older brother to finish his studies. After graduation, Sarendy commenced his military studies in France. In 1963, he married Nareine Saphon. The couple have had 3 children, Narendy (1963), Sirenda (1964) and Saphira (1966), now of French citizenship.
Military career
Education
Following graduation in 1954, Sarendy Vong received a scholarship to the naval school of Brest in France. He completed his military studies and upon his return to Cambodia in 1957, was appointed Commander of Ream naval base. In 1963, he left his post for a military fellowship in Monterey, California but departed following John F. Kennedy's assassination, 2 months before schedule. His internship was cancelled as a result of King Sihanouk's professed allegiance with the People's Republic of China during the Vietnam War. In 1968, Vong spent a 2-year internship in the prestigious École Militaire in Paris. Following his return to Phnom Penh, he was promoted to Capitaine de vaisseau and 2nd in commandment of the MRK.
Marine Nationale Khmère
In the wake of King Sihanouk's removal from power, the Royal Khmer Navy was re-designated as the Khmer National Navy. As a result, Vong ascended to the rank of Admiral of the fleet and replaced former superior Pierre Coedes as the head of the Naval forces. With the United States as allies, the newly proclaimed Khmer Republic received an influx of standardized equipment and crafts. By September 1974, the MNK saw its personnel size increase tenfold, with 16,500 men under Vong's command. Nowadays, Vong Sarendy is recognized as one of the most notable commanders of the Khmer National Navy.
Cambodian Coup of 1970
According to a currently declassified CIA report from August 14, 1970, a secret council named "The Revolutionary Committee" staged and planned the coup that led to the removal of Prince Sihanouk from power and to the creation of the Khmer Republic. Sarendy Vong was listed as one of the committee's twelve members.[2]
During the Khmer rouge uprising, Vong Sarendy was credited for sustaining exemplary discipline and morale within his forces.[3] On April 12, 1975, United States operation Eagle Pull evacuated all remaining U.S citizens from besieged Phnom Penh as well as acting president Saukham Khoy. Following his departure, a supreme committee, consisting of Sarendy Vong and six other high placing officials, was formed to govern the republic.[1] On April 17, 1975, Phnom Penh was falling to Khmer Rouge forces. Vong's headquarters in the Chroy Changvar peninsula were encircled and a final phone call to head of state Sak Sutsakhan confirmed the dissolution of the supreme committee. Vong committed suicide as the insurgents entered his office; on the committee's 5th day in office.[4]
Awards
This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (July 2012)
In popular culture
Shadow Over Angkor
Sarendy Vong makes a short appearance in King Sihanouk's 1969 film: Shadow Over Angkor (Ombre sur Angkor). He portrays an officer in the Khmer Royal Navy. Ironically, the film is centered around a plot to overthrow the Cambodian Government.[5]
Rogue Warrior
Sarendy appears in Richard Marcinko's book, Rogue Warrior, which includes an account of the Cambodian Civil War. [1]
^Conboy, Kenneth (1989). The War in Cambodia 1970-1975. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. ISBN9781780961385.
^"The Final Hours of the Khmer Republic". khmertimes.kh. 15 April 2015. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
^"Shadow Over Angkor". Complete Index To World Film.
January 10, 2023
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Sarendy Vong October 3 1929 April 17 1975 was a Fleet Admiral in the Khmer Republic He held his most prominent position as the head of the Khmer National Navy MNK from 1970 to 1975 and as a member of the Supreme Committee which ran the Khmer republic during the Phnom Penh siege 1 Sarendy VongVong SarendyBorn 1929 10 03 October 3 1929Phnom Penh Cambodia French IndochinaDiedApril 17 1975 1975 04 17 aged 45 Phnom Penh KampucheaAllegianceKhmer RepublicService wbr branchKhmer National NavyYears of service1957 1975RankCommodoreCommands heldAdmiral of the fleet and member in the Cambodian Supreme Committee 1975 Contents 1 Early and personal life 2 Military career 2 1 Education 2 2 Marine Nationale Khmere 2 3 Cambodian Coup of 1970 2 4 Cambodian Civil War 3 Awards 4 In popular culture 4 1 Shadow Over Angkor 4 2 Rogue Warrior 5 See also 6 ReferencesEarly and personal life EditSarendy Vong was born in Phnom Penh on October 3 1929 During his childhood he lived in the village of Mong in Battambang province At age 11 after the death of his father the incumbent village chief he traveled to Phnom Penh with his older brother to finish his studies After graduation Sarendy commenced his military studies in France In 1963 he married Nareine Saphon The couple have had 3 children Narendy 1963 Sirenda 1964 and Saphira 1966 now of French citizenship Military career EditEducation Edit Following graduation in 1954 Sarendy Vong received a scholarship to the naval school of Brest in France He completed his military studies and upon his return to Cambodia in 1957 was appointed Commander of Ream naval base In 1963 he left his post for a military fellowship in Monterey California but departed following John F Kennedy s assassination 2 months before schedule His internship was cancelled as a result of King Sihanouk s professed allegiance with the People s Republic of China during the Vietnam War In 1968 Vong spent a 2 year internship in the prestigious Ecole Militaire in Paris Following his return to Phnom Penh he was promoted to Capitaine de vaisseau and 2nd in commandment of the MRK Marine Nationale Khmere Edit In the wake of King Sihanouk s removal from power the Royal Khmer Navy was re designated as the Khmer National Navy As a result Vong ascended to the rank of Admiral of the fleet and replaced former superior Pierre Coedes as the head of the Naval forces With the United States as allies the newly proclaimed Khmer Republic received an influx of standardized equipment and crafts By September 1974 the MNK saw its personnel size increase tenfold with 16 500 men under Vong s command Nowadays Vong Sarendy is recognized as one of the most notable commanders of the Khmer National Navy Cambodian Coup of 1970 Edit According to a currently declassified CIA report from August 14 1970 a secret council named The Revolutionary Committee staged and planned the coup that led to the removal of Prince Sihanouk from power and to the creation of the Khmer Republic Sarendy Vong was listed as one of the committee s twelve members 2 Cambodian Civil War Edit Main article Cambodian Civil War During the Khmer rouge uprising Vong Sarendy was credited for sustaining exemplary discipline and morale within his forces 3 On April 12 1975 United States operation Eagle Pull evacuated all remaining U S citizens from besieged Phnom Penh as well as acting president Saukham Khoy Following his departure a supreme committee consisting of Sarendy Vong and six other high placing officials was formed to govern the republic 1 On April 17 1975 Phnom Penh was falling to Khmer Rouge forces Vong s headquarters in the Chroy Changvar peninsula were encircled and a final phone call to head of state Sak Sutsakhan confirmed the dissolution of the supreme committee Vong committed suicide as the insurgents entered his office on the committee s 5th day in office 4 Awards EditThis section is empty You can help by adding to it July 2012 In popular culture EditShadow Over Angkor Edit Sarendy Vong makes a short appearance in King Sihanouk s 1969 film Shadow Over Angkor Ombre sur Angkor He portrays an officer in the Khmer Royal Navy Ironically the film is centered around a plot to overthrow the Cambodian Government 5 Rogue Warrior Edit Sarendy appears in Richard Marcinko s book Rogue Warrior which includes an account of the Cambodian Civil War 1 See also EditCambodian genocide Cambodian Civil War Khmer National Armed Forces Khmer National Navy MNK Vietnam WarReferences Edit Anti Sihanouk propaganda google groups Marcinko John 1992 Rogue Warrior New York Pocket Books ISBN 9780671795931 a b Pol Pot Regime The Angkor net Retrieved May 9 2012 KR Genocide a Fraudulent Claim Yahoo groups Conboy Kenneth 1989 The War in Cambodia 1970 1975 Oxford Osprey Publishing ISBN 9781780961385 The Final Hours of the Khmer Republic khmertimes kh 15 April 2015 Retrieved April 16 2015 Shadow Over Angkor Complete Index To World Film Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Vong Sarendy amp oldid 1094559224, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
