Peter Khoy Saukam

Peter Khoy Saukam (born Saukam Khoy Khmer: សូកាំ ខូយ; 2 February 1915 – 14 November 2008) was Acting President of the Khmer Republic for 12 days in April 1975. He was President of the Senate from 1972 to 1975.

In this Cambodian name, the surname is Saukam. In accordance with Cambodian custom, this person should be referred to by their given name.
General
Peter Khoy Saukam
សូកាំ ខូយ
President of the Khmer Republic
Acting
In office
1 April 1975 – 12 April 1975
Preceded byLon Nol
Succeeded bySak Sutsakhan
as Chairman of the Supreme Committee
President of the Senate
In office
1972–1975
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byChea Sim (1999)
Personal details
Born
Saukam Khoy

(1915-02-02)2 February 1915
Cambodia
Died14 November 2008(2008-11-14) (aged 93)
Stockton, California, U.S.
Political partySocial Republican Party
Spouse(s)Vom Tep Saukam
Children7
Military service
Allegiance Cambodia
Khmer Republic
Branch/serviceRoyal Cambodian Army
Khmer National Army
Years of service1940–1975
Rank Lieutenant general

Early life

Born on 2 February 1915, Saukam Khoy enlisted into the Khmer Royal Army in 1940, when he was 25. He achieved the rank of lieutenant-colonel in 1953 and subsequently, lieutenant-general. He became President of the Senate of the Khmer Republic in 1972.[1]

Presidency

He took office on 1 April 1975, when a tearful Lon Nol left 'temporarily' with his entire family for Bali in Indonesia after an invitation from his friend, Indonesian President Suharto.[2]

Khoy's time in office was short. He left Phnom Penh together with American Ambassador John Gunther Dean aboard a CH-53 helicopter during the evacuation of American embassy staff and civilians, dubbed Operation Eagle Pull on 12 April, just five days before Phnom Penh fell to the Khmer Rouge.[3]

Khoy died at the age of 93 in Stockton, California, United States, on 14 November 2008.[4]

References
  1. "Time runs short for Phnom Penh, Monday 7 April 1975 Time Magazine". Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2007.
  2. Waiting for the Fall, Monday 14 April 1975 Time Magazine
  3. American Pullout from a City Under Siege, 21 April 1975, Time Magazine
  4. Fallen Leader Mourned, 21 November 2008 The Record
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