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they split into north and south
Following Japanese surrender, Soviets maintained military presence in the North with American troops in the South. Temporary border at 38th parallel established -
north korea invades south korea
Truman orders air and naval support for South Korea & calls for UN intervention June 27, 1950 With the Soviet Union absent from the Security Council, the U.S. was able to win agreement from UN to support South Korea. MacArthur appointed to command UN operations -
U.S. troops invade at Inchon
U.S. troops invade at Inchon September 15, 1950 In surprise landing behind enemy lines, US forces push North Korean army back north of the 38th parallel -
Pyongyang falls to UN forces
Pyongyang falls to UN forces October 19, 1950 North Korean capital now in UN control -
Truman fires MacArther
Truman relieves MacArthur of command April 11, 1951 Following several warnings about insubordination, Truman angers public (69% support MacArthur) by firing the US commander -
first american deaths
Jul 8, 1959
First American Deaths Two military advisors are killed by Viet Minh guerilla soldiers in a raid at Bien Hoa in South Vietnam. These are the first American deaths (non-combat) reported in Vietnam. -
kennedy electted
Nov 8, 1960
Kennedy Elected Democrat John F. Kennedy defeats Republican candidate Richard M. Nixon to become the 35th president of the United States. -
beginning of the end
Dec 22, 1961
First US Combat Death An American serviceman dies in Vietnam, the first combat death reported. For many Americans, the death will mark the beginning of the Vietnam War. -
officials killed
1961
South Government Officials Killed Viet Cong guerrilla fighters kill some 4,000 South Vietnamese officials. -
credibility gap
Oct 2, 1963
Credibility Gap U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara tells the press that the Kennedy administration intends to withdraw most American forces from South Vietnam by the end of 1965. The gap widens between information released by the U.S. government and the actual situation in Vietnam. -
kennedy assassinated
Kennedy Assassinated While riding in a motorcade through Dallas, Texas, President John F. Kennedy is shot and killed. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson assumes the presidency. -
opposition to war
May 1964
Students Burn Draft Cards Some 1,000 students gather in New York City to protest the Vietnam War. Twelve burn their selective service registration cards—draft cards—in a symbolic gesture of opposition to the war. -
first bombing
Aug 4, 1964
First North Vietnam Bombing The USS Maddox reports a second assault by North Vietnamese gunboats, though evidence of such an attack is inconclusive. President Lyndon B. Johnson orders retaliatory strikes. The U.S. bombs North Vietnam for the first time. -
s&d
Jun 1965
Search and Destroy Missions American ground forces engage the Viet Cong in direct fighting for the first time. Platoons are sent to "search and destroy," that is, to ambush enemy forces and then withdraw immediately (rather than fortify and hold hostile territory). The highly aggressive "search and destroy" military strategy will be employed throughout Gen. Westmorland's tenure.