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The Battle of Dien Bien Phu
After World War II, Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam’s independence and now controlled most of the Vietnamese countryside. France decided to reassert control over French Indochina by attacking Ho Chin Minh’s forces. After a seven year long battle the war finally came to an end on May 7. Dien Bien Phu had fallen and all surviving French became war prisoners. French decided to withdraw from the French Indochina war, which led to an even bigger battle called the “Vietnam War” or “Second Indochina War”. -
Geneva Accords Signed - Vietnam Divided
The Geneva Accords were an attempt to end the fight between France and Vietnam. On July 21, 1954, the meeting agreed that Vietnam would be divided in half and be called the North and South. Vietminh would control the North and State of Vietnam would control the South. An election would take place on July 20, 1956 for both halves to decided who had the power over the whole country. The Geneva Accords helped get the French out of Vietnam and end the French Indochina battle. -
First American Deaths
Maj. Dale R. Ruis and Master Sgt. Chester M. Ovnand were the first Americans killed in the Vietnam War. Both men were apart of the Military Assistance Advisory Group whose goal was to provide military assistance to those already in combat. The organization contained U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. The organization was hit by guerrillas on July 8, 1959, which instantly killed Ruis and Ovnand. This news reached American civilians like wildfire. -
Fork in the Road
President Johnson receives a memo from Defense Secretary Robert McNamara and National Security Advisor McGeorge Bundy. The memo underlines the difficulties the United States is having in Saigon due to limited U.S. policies. There are two alternatives President Johnson must chose from: use more military power and force a change in Communist policy or deploy all resources. -
Operation Flaming Dart
After several attack on U.S. bases in South Vietnam, President Johnson approves Operation Flaming Dart, which are several air attacks on North Vietnamese bases. This was an attempt to stop the government in North Vietnam from attacking the U.S. bases. The attacks lasted for 12 hours all over the North, which was to show a sign of strength from the U.S. military. The result was 22 injured and 23 U.S. military men dead. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
Operation Rolling Thunder was intended to put military pressure on North Vietnam’s Communist leaders. The United States strategy was to attack targets throughout North Vietnam for a total of eight weeks, but instead it lasted for three years. The U.S. dropped 8 million tons of bombs, which resulted in the North decentralizing their factories and supply bases. The North was vulnerable during this time due to bomb damage. -
Operation Starlite
Operation Starlite began August 18 and last until August 24. It was the first major U.S. ground operation in Vietnam as well as the first major victory. United States Marine arrived to Vietnam by helicopter and ship and attacked over 1,500 Viet Cong. With a combination of ground forces, artillery, ships, and air support the Marines killed 614 Viet Cong soldiers while 45 U.S. Marines were pronounced dead. It was the first victory against the United States and Vietnam. -
B-52 Bombers
For the first time ever, B-52s are used to attack North Vietnam. These fly-bomb planes are used to breakup enemy concentrations. The planes strike targets from 30,000 feet and can be neither heard nor seen. Each B-52 carries 100 bombs and have a total of six main targets. These planes became one of the most important element of defense for our nation. -
Tet Offensive
Tet Offensive was a turning point in the Vietnam War. The North Vietnamese and Viet Cong launched a series of attacks on more than 100 cities and towns in South Vietnam. The goal was to reduce South Vietnam’s population and have the American’s withdraw from the South. This attack killed over 100 Marines and was all captured on video, which was broadcast all throughout America. -
Operation Dewey Canyon
Operation Dewey Canyon took place in Da Krong valley and was the last major operation completed by the United States Marines. This operation had a total of three phases and the goal was to attack Vietnam Army. After two long months and extensive planning the Marines succeeded by killed over 1,600 Vietnamese and discovered 500 tons of arms and ammunition. -
"Hamburger Hill"
The Hamburger Hill attack is known as the beginning to the end of the American’s in Vietnam War. Hill 937 was part of a mission to limit enemies from Loas that threatened Hue. The United States attacked the North for a total of 10 days on Hill 937. The attack left over 100 Americans dead and 400 wounded, which caused the American people to become anger. The United States captured Hamburger Hill, but later abandoned the hill, which caused Americans to be outraged again since lives were lost. -
Nixon's Vietnamization Policy
Vietnamization was designed to help end American involvement in the Vietnam War. The goal was to build up South Vietnam’s military strength by withdrawing the U.S. troops all together. The U.S. troops would teach the South how to defend themselves against the Communist, which would allow the U.S. troops to leave in honor. The policy allowed the U.S. troops to form a treaty with the North and leave combat, but the South failed to defend themselves against the Communist. -
Vietnam War Ends for the U.S.
In March 1973, the last American combat soldiers leave South Vietnam. The last American solider leaving South Vietnam declared the war to be officially over for the United States. The war between North and South Vietnam continues, but the Americans had withdrawn their last U.S. troops from the war. From the beginning of the war to this day there had been over 3 million Americans who served in this war, 58,000 dead, 1,000 missing, and 150,000 wounded. It was a day to remember the ones who fought. -
Last Americans Depart Saigon
On April 30, 1975 at 4:03 a.m., the last two American Marines are killed in Saigon by a rocket. These were the last Americans to die in the Vietnam War. At 8:35 a.m., the last ten Marines who were guarding the United States embassy lift off and leave Saigon. By 11 a.m., North Vietnamese tanks enter into Saigon, the red and blue Viet Cong flag flies, and President Minh announces that they surrender. The war was officially over after 15 long years. -
Vietnam Communist Country
In 1954, Vietnam partition, which was only suppose to be temporary. During the separation between North Vietnam and South Vietnam the North became communist while the South became democratic. The North Vietnam support the Soviet Uniton while the South Vietnam supported the United States. After twenty years went by the North and South were unified in 1976. Due to the unification between the North and South Vietnam was classified as a communist country.
