Marshal Lon Nol ( November 13, 1913 – November 17, 1985) was a Cambodian politician and general who served as Prime Minister of Cambodia twice, as well as serving repeatedly as Defense Minister. He led a military coup against Prince Norodom Sihanouk and became the self-proclaimed President of the newly created Khmer Republic.
Lon Nol was born in Prey Veng Province on November 13, 1913, to a family of mixed Chinese–Khmer descent.His father name Lon Hin, was the son of a Khmer Krom from Tay Ninh Province who later served as a district chief in Siem Reap and Kampong Thom, after making a name for himself 'pacifying' bandit groups in Prey Veng.His maternal grandfather was a Chinese immigrant from Fujian province who later became the governor of Prey Veng.Lon Nol was educated in the relatively privileged surroundings of the Lycée Chasseloup-Laubat in Saigon, followed by the Cambodian Royal Military Academy.
