Cambodian Campaign
United States and South Vietnamese forces enter Cambodia against communist base areas
Role range: 1955-1975 – 1969-1971
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Lon Nol Biography and Timeline — Page 2
Follow Lon Nol through 68 dated historical records for Kampuchea.
Lon Nol, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
68Distinct records
2 of 2Page
1970–1985Years on this page
1970
FANK Expansion
Expands the Khmer National Armed Forces after the coup
Role range: 1967-1975 – 1969-1971
American Military Aid
Receives expanded American military support for the new anti-communist regime
Role range: 1969-1971
Army Mobilization
Mobilizes forces as civil war spreads through the countryside
Role range: 1967-1975 – 1969-1971
Republic Proclaimed
Proclaims the Khmer Republic and abolishes the monarchy
Role range: 1969-1971
1971
Premiership Ends
Leaves the prime ministership as Sirik Matak takes over government leadership
Role range: 1969-1971
Marshal Rank Conferred
Khmer Parliament confers the rank of Marshal on Lon Nol
Role range: 1971-1975
Defence Ministry Ends
Ends his 2nd term as Minister of National Defence
Role range: 1968-1971
1972
Powers Transferred
Cheng Heng resigns and transfers chief-of-state powers to Lon Nol
Role range: 1972-1975
President Assumes Office
Lon Nol becomes President of the Khmer Republic
Role range: 1972-1975
Son Ngoc Thanh Premiership
Uses Son Ngoc Thanh as Prime Minister under the presidential system
Role range: 1972-1975
Constitution Approved
New republican constitution approved by referendum
Role range: 1972-1975
Presidential Election
Elected first President of the Khmer Republic after adoption of the constitution
Role range: 1972-1975
Party Created
Creates the Social Republican Party with support from Lon Non
Role range: 1972-1975
National Assembly Election
Social Republican Party dominates National Assembly elections
Role range: 1972-1975
1973
Paris Peace Accords
Paris agreement seeks to end foreign military interference in Indochina
Role range: 1955-1975 – 1972-1975
Unilateral Ceasefire
Proclaims a unilateral ceasefire after the Paris Peace Accords
Role range: 1967-1975 – 1972-1975
Conscription Introduced
Introduces conscription as the army suffers casualties and desertions
Role range: 1967-1975 – 1972-1975
Phnom Penh Offensive
Khmer Rouge offensive pushes toward the suburbs of Phnom Penh
Role range: 1967-1975 – 1972-1975
Freedom Deal Intensifies
American air operations intensify before the bombing halt
Role range: 1955-1975 – 1972-1975
US Bombing Ends
United States bombing operations in Cambodia end
Role range: 1955-1975 – 1972-1975
1974
Cabinet Instability
Rotates prime ministers as the republic faces military and economic decline
Role range: 1972-1975
Political Isolation
Becomes increasingly isolated from Sirik Matak, Cheng Heng, and In Tam
Role range: 1972-1975
1975
Capital Encircled
Khmer Rouge forces surround Phnom Penh as the republic nears collapse
Role range: 1967-1975 – 1972-1975
Saukham Khoy Acting President
Saukham Khoy becomes acting president after Lon Nol leaves Cambodia
Role range: 1972-1975
Exile of Lon Nol
Resigns and leaves Cambodia before the Khmer Rouge capture Phnom Penh
Role range: 1972-1975
1979
Exile Statement
Insists from exile that he remains president despite the republic's defeat
Role range: 1972-1975
1985
Death of Lon Nol
Death of Lon Nol in exile in California
Role range: 1972-1975
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.