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US give $15M
The US finally decides to help aid France and Ho Chi Minh. The US gave france $15M in Military aid. This is the first time in the Vietnam War when the US had stepped in to help. They still didn't want to get fully involved but they decided to help aid France's Military. I believe this to have importances as it is the first time that the US helps out the war. -
Dien Bien Phu.
Viet Minh forced an attack in the town of Dien Bien Phu. Which was were a French military outpost was located. The attempt on the outpost lasted two months. While this was going on the French Government agreed to peace talks in Geneva. At the conference Vietnam was split into North and South. At the time, President Eisenhower revisted the question of intervention in the Franco-Vietnamese War.
I believe this to be important or significant becasue it split vietnam into North and South. -
Ngo Dinh Diem
US, Britan, and France all support Ngo Dinh Diem. Afraid that he will lose agaisnt Ho Chi Minh, he decides to refuse to hold countrywide elections. In the end, he proclaims himself president through a rigged election.
The importance in this is that the US supports him, and helps aid him. -
Guerrilla War
Ex-Viet Minh forces, with the help/support from Ho Chi Minh, began a campaign for Guerilla Warfare against Diem's administration. Thus beginning Communist insurgency in the South. Guerillas assassinate more than 400 South Vietnamese officials.
The significance of this is the it was the beginning of the insurgency in the South. -
American Death
In a raid at Bien Hoa in South Vietnam, two military advisors are killed by Viet Minh guerilla soldiers. There are the first American deaths that are non-combat reported in the Vietnam War. This is important because this shows what happened to our men before we even went over there for combat. -
US Increasing Military
The US annouces that they will increase the number of military advisors in South Vietnam. They increased it from 327 me to 685 men. Also increasing their support to Diem. We kept putting soliders over there, and we weren't even part of the war yet. -
JFK
John F. Kennedy is elected President. And two days later President Ngo Dinh Dien defeats the attempt of his own South Vietnamesse government forces, the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. -
Johnson Visits Vietnam
Vice President Lyndon Jonson, he visits South Vietnam and and offers military and economic aid to Diem when he visits visited Diem in Saigon. Johnson assures Diem that he is crucial to US objectives in Vietnam. By the end of the year the presence in Vietnam reaches 3,200 men. -
Combat Death
The first American serviceman to die in combat. For many people this is the start of the Vietnam War. And Viet Cong guerrilla fighters kill about 4,000 South Vietnamese officials. This is significant because this is when a lot of people believe the war officially started. -
Diem's Assassination Attempt
Two pilots from South Vietnamese VC try to bomb Ngo Dinh Diem's palace. Diem escapes the assassination attempt. -
Agent Orange
US Air Force begins using Agent Orange -- a defoliant that came in metal orange containers-to expose roads and trails used by Vietcong forces. -
Assassination of Kennedy
In Dallas, Texas President John F. Kennedy is shot and killed, leaving Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson assumes presidency. This leaving confusion on where US stood with helping the Vietnam War. With the US encouragment South Vietnamese General Duong Van Minh overthrows the Diem regime, and the following day he orders the execution of Diem and his brother. This was a really big turning point and how Americans felt about the war. -
Rebellion of War
About 1,000 students gathered in New York City to protest the Vietnam War. About 12 of the students burned their registration cards (draft cards) in a way to create a symbolic gesture of their feelings towards the war. -
Arriving in Vietnam
The first U.S. combat units arrive in Vietnam. This is significant as it is when American combat soliders finally entered the war. -
Search and Destroy
American forces engage the Viet Cong in direct fighting for the first time. Platoons are sent to "search and destroy," which means to ambush enemy forces and then withdraw immediately. -
Punishment
The US Congress passed the amendment to the Selective Service Act that will criminalize the destruction of draft cards, President Johnson signs it into law. Those committing the act will now be subject to a five-year prison sentence and up to $10,000 in fines. -
POW
U.S. prisoners of war (POWs) are led through the streets of Hanoi, where they are attacked by angry mobs. -
King and the War
Martin Luther King Jr. leads thousands of demonstrations where he delievers speechs about US foreign policy in Vietname. More than 100,000 people attend the rally. -
Longest War
The war in Vietnam which is marked by the first death of an American serviceman reported on 22 December 1961, becomes the longest war in American history. -
Withdrawal of the Troops
The House and the Senate vote to withdraw all U.S. troops in Vietnam by year's end. -
Ceasefire
Representatives from South Vietnam, North Vietnam, and the United States sign a peace agreement in which a ceasefire is declared. Thus meanign that the US will withdraw combat troops, and the government of South Vietnam promises to hold free elections to allow its people to decide their future. -
END of the War for America
The Vietnam War ends for the US, military advisors stay and so do some of the Marines, but combat soliders leave to go home. More than 3 million Americans served in this war, nearly 60,000 are dead, and some 150,000 are wounded, and at least 1,000 are missing in action.
