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Japan Occupies Indochina
The Japanese diminish French rule in Indochina. Emperor Bao Dai comes into power in Vietnam creating the illusion of an independent Vietnamese state. -
August Revolt
Under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh, the Viet Minh revolts against Emperor Bao Dai, Japan's hand-selected ruler and twelve days later Ho Chi Minh surrenders to the Viet Minh. -
Dien Bien Phu
The Viet Minh make their first assault on French forces at Dien Bien Phu. The battle will rage for over two months ending with the French surrendering to the Viet Minh. -
Vietnam Becomes Divided
France and Ho Chi Minh sign the Geneva Accords, which then leads to the division of Vietnam. Vietnam is to be divided at the seventeenth parallel until elections can be held in 1956 to reunify the country. The South Vietnamese government and the United States refuse to sign the agreement. -
The First American Deaths
Two military advisors are killed by Viet Minh guerilla soldiers in a raid at Bien Hoa in South Vietnam. Guerilla soldiers were a small group of combatants such as armed civilians or irregulars using military tactics including ambushes, sabotage, raids, petty warfare, hit-and-run tactics, and mobility to fight a larger and less-mobile traditional military. -
Viet Cong Is Formed
The National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam, also known as the National Liberation Front is formed, with it's military front the Viet Cong, staffed by Ex-Viet Minh guerilla soldiers from the South. -
South Government Officials Are Killed
(Unknown Date)
Viet Cong Guerilla fighters kill around 4,000 South Vietnamese officials -
First US Combat Death
An American serviceman is killed, marking the official beginning o the Vietnam War. -
Military Assistance Command Vietnam
U.S. Military is authorized to fire if they are fired upon. -
Diem is Overthrown
South Vietnamese General Duong Van Minh overthrows the Diem regime, and then he orders the execution of Diem and his brother. -
First Bombing in N. Vietnam
A second assault occurs on the USS Maddox reportedly by North Vietnamese gunboats, though there wasn't much evidence. President Lyndon B. Johnson orders retaliatory strikes. The U.S. bombs North Vietnam for the first time. -
N. Vietnamese Troops in South
The first unit of North Vietnamese troops is sent to the South. -
The first U.S. combat units arrive in Vietnam.
The first U.S. combat units arrive in Vietnam. -
Peace Talks
Peace talks are held in Paris. Representatives from the U.S., the South Vietnamese government, and the NLF are present. -
War Ends
The North Vietnamese take Saigon; the war in Vietnam ends.
