In November 1963, a faction of the South Vietnamese military executed a coup d'état against President Ngô Đình Diệm, who had been in power since 1955. Diệm's administration faced growing internal opposition due to its authoritarian practices, policies that marginalized the Buddhist majority, and ineffective governance amidst increasing communist influence. The Buddhist Crisis, which escalated earlier, was largely responsible for the mounting dissatisfaction that fueled the coup. As protests erupted nationwide, the military, backed by the United States, sought to remove Diệm. The coup occurred on November 1 but culminated in Diệm's assassination on November 2, following his capture during the turmoil.After his arrest, Diệm and his brother, Ngô Đình Nhu, were taken to the back of an armored personnel carrier, where they were assassinated by the coup leaders. This shocking act signaled a dramatic shift in South Vietnam's political arena and was seen as a turning point in the broader escalation of U.S. involvement in Vietnam. The assassination also had significant repercussions for both the South Vietnamese government and the Vietnam War, leading to increased instability and a series of ineffective leaderships. With the removal of Diệm, the military regime continued to struggle against the Viet Cong and faced challenges in gaining popular support, setting the stage for further conflict in the region.