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Eisenhower Rejects Troop Committment
President Eisenhower refuses to commit American troops to the Franco-Vietnamese War. In a press conference he states, "I cannot conceive of a greater tragedy for America than to get heavily involved now in an all-out war in any of those regions." -
Nixon Supports Troop Committment
n a speech before the press, Vice President Richard Nixon explains that "if to avoid further Communist expansion in Asia and Indochina we must take the risk now of putting our boys in, I think the Executive has to take the politically unpopular decision and do it." -
French is Defeated
The French suffer a decisive defeat at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. -
Peaceful Withdrawal
The Geneva Accords creates a cease-fire for the peaceful withdrawal of the French from Vietnam and provides a temporary boundary between North and South Vietnam at the 17th parallel. -
America's first mission
American pilots assist in helping South Vietnam in a mission against Saigon this is the first time the US will participate in any sort of combat against he Vietcong. -
Vietcong Ambush
Vietcong forces ambush the south Vietnamese at their army's 7th division this leads to almost 400 wounded or killed south vietnamese soldiers and 3 American advisors are killed. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
North Vietnamese attack two U.S. destroyers sitting in international waters (the Gulf of Tonkin Incident). In response to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, the U.S. Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
A sustained U.S. aerial bombing campaign of North Vietnam begins (Operation Rolling Thunder). -
Troops in Vietnam
U.S. troops in Vietnam reaches 540,000. -
Protest Begin
President Nixon announces that U.S. troops will attack enemy locations in Cambodia. This news sparks nationwide protests, especially on college campuses. -
Easter Offensive
The North Vietnamese cross the demilitarized zone (DMZ) at the 17th parallel to attack South Vietnam in what became known as the Easter Offensive. -
Cease Fire
The Paris Peace Accords are signed that provide a cease-fire. -
South Vietnam Assault
March 1975 - North Vietnam launches a massive assault on South Vietnam. -
Surrender
South Vietnam surrenders to the communists. -
Vietnam is Unified
Vietnam is unified as a communist country, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
