American Troops in Vietnam

Americanization

Period: Dec 2, 1956 to Aug 1, 1970

Buildup of American Troops in Vietnam.

To protect air bases in South Vietnam, 3,500 Marines were deployed becoming the first ground forces committed to the conflict

Mar 2, 1965

This action is in response to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident

60,000 American troops preside in Vietnam

Apr 15, 1965

The current troop level was at 120,000

Nov 27, 1965

184,000 American troops were serving in Vietnam

Dec 31, 1965

The number rose to 385,000

Dec 31, 1966

This number grew to 485,000

Dec 31, 1967

This rose further to 535,000

Dec 31, 1968

Vietnamization

Period: Jan 20, 1969 to Apr 30, 1975

The gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops in order for the South Vietnamese to build up their forces and fight the primary role in their war.

Nixon is elected, troop number at 541,000

Jan 31, 1969

25,000 troops withdrawn. Now at 516,000

Jun 30, 1969

335,790 troops left as Vietnamization quickens.

Nov 30, 1970

156,800 troops left in Nam

Dec 31, 1971

69,000 American troops in Vietnam

May 1, 1972

24,200 troops left in Nam.

Dec 31, 1972

U.S. military personnel limited to 50.

Dec 31, 1973

S. Vietnamese Saigon as the last U.S. troops depart, ending the war.

Apr 30, 1975

North Vietnamese troops enter Saigon and smash the gates of the Presidential Palace with a tank and accept the unconditional surrender of South Vietnam.