Events During the Vietnam War

Beginning

Nov 1, 1955

Due to the U.S. feeling that there was a threat of communism being spread among South-east Asia, the Vietnam war began.

Agent Orange

1961

The U.S. used agent orange, which was a herbicide to kill forests that could be used as camouflage and food that could be used to feed the enemy.

Assassination

Nov 2, 1963

Eight years after the war started, the leader of South Vietnam, Ngo Dinh Diem, was assassinated. The U.S. supported him, however in the end they had suspicions about him.

North Vietnam Torpedoes Attack

Aug 2, 1964

North Vietnam attacks the USS Maddox in the Gulf of Tonkin with torpedoes, which also gave the U.S. another reason to enter the war.

Rolling Thunder

Mar 2, 1965

Operation Rolling Thunder was a code name a bombing campaign America had. The U.S. sent an aircraft to bomb 8 million tons of bombs on Vietnam, however, Vietnam was able to create an effective defense from them.

Ceder Falls

Jan 8, 1967

Operation Ceder Falls was a code name for a search and destroy of the iron triangle, which was a stronghold for the Viet Cong, in the Thanh Dien Forest Preserve.

Khe Sanh

Jan 21, 1968

The battle of Khe Sanh was known as Vietnam's deadliest and longest battles. The PAVN bombed the marines destroying most of their artillery.

Tet Offense

Jan 30, 1968

The Tet Offense was a surprise attack made by Vietnam during a New Years festival when soldiers were away. This event was considered a big turning point which hurt the U.S. and gave an upper hand to Viet Cong.

Mass Murder of My Lai

Mar 16, 1968

Due to previous events of the war like the Tet Offense, a company of American soldiers known as the "Charlie company" became enraged and went and murdered hundreds of innocent, unarmed villagers. This infuriated event Americans.

Selective Lottery

Dec 1, 1969

Since the volunteers for the war were for in the navy, marines, or other service, the army didn't have enough volunteers so, the first selective lottery was created to get more people.