Lâm Quang Thơ

Lâm Quang Thơ (8 February 1931–1985) was a major general in the South Vietnamese Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN).

Early life and family Thơ was born in Bac Lieu on February 8, 1931, to a family of wealthy landowning farmers.

Military career Thơ joined the Vietnamese National Army in 1950 and graduated from the Vietnamese National Military Academy in Da Lat.

In September 1966, COMUSMACV General William Westmoreland directed General John F. Freund to examine the ARVN officer training programme of the National Military Academy, believing it should reflect a leadership philosophy stressing "the obligation and responsibility of the graduates to the country as opposed to self-interest." According to the American advisers at the academy, the commandant, Thơ, was one of the least effective ARVN general officers.

In August 1969, Thơ was appointed commander of the 18th Division, replacing the inept Đỗ Kế Giai; however Thơ turned out equally bad in the eyes of his US advisers.

Honours