Vong Sarendy
| Sarendy Vong | |
|---|---|
Vong Sarendy
|
|
| Born |
October 3, 1929 Phnom Penh, Cambodia |
| Died | 1975 (aged 45–46) Phnom Penh, Cambodia |
| Allegiance | République Khmère |
| Service/branch | Marine Nationale Khmère |
| Years of service | 1957–1975 |
| Rank | Commodore |
| Commands held | Admiral of the fleet and member in the Cambodian Supreme Committee, 1975 |
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.
Sarendy Vong was born in Phnom Penh on October 3, 1929. During his childhood, he resided in the village of Mong in Battambang province. At age 11, his father, the village chief died and he subsequently 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).
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 when King Sihanouk ultimately sided 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. Ensuing his return to Phnom Penh, he was promoted to Capitaine de vaisseau and 2nd in commandment of the MRK.
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. In addition, by September 1974, the MNK saw its personnel size increase tenfold, with 16, 500 men under Vong's commandment. Nowadays Vong Sarendy is recognized as one of the most notable commanders of the Khmer National Navy.
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