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French Surrendered
In northwest Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh’s Viet Minh forces defeated the French at Dien Bien Phu, a French stronghold attack by the Vietnamese communists for 57 days. The Viet Minh victory at Dien Bien Phu signaled the end of French colonial influence in Indochina. It alsow as the start of the Geneva Conference discussing the status of Indochina. -
Geneva Accords Signed. Vietnam Divided
The Geneva Conference lasted from April 26,154 - July 20, 1954. In July 1954, the Geneva Agreements were signed. Part of the agreement was the French agreed to withdraw their troops from northern Vietnam. Vietnam would be temporarily divided at the 17th parallel, pending elections within two years to choose a president and reunite the country. The conference marked a turning point in the United States’ involvement in Vietnam. -
U.S. Aids Diem
On October 26, Ngo Dinh Diem proclaimed the independence of Republic of Vietnam, naming himself as President. The U.S. recognized Diem regime and consented to train Diem’s army. Diem with the support of the U.S. refused to hold the reunification election, fearing that he would lose against Ho Chi Minh. -
Ho Chi Minh Trail
A specialised North Vietnamese Army unit, was formed to build a supply route from North to South Vietnam which would be eventually known as the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Until the 1960's supplies were transfered by foot and bicycle. In the 1960's the trail was expanded for trucks to be driven and camoflauged. -
Kennedy Elected as U.S. President
John F. Kennedy became the 35th President of the United States with Vice President Johnson by his side. -
Strategic Hamlet Program Launched
The Strategic Hamlet Program was an attempt of the United States and South Vietnamese government to group the peasant population into fortified villages. Its purpose was to isolate the rural population from Viet Cong influence and strengthen Diem’s hold over the countryside by providing education and health care to the peasants. -
Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) Formed
The Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) was first established to assist the MAAG, Vietnam, controlling all advisory and assistant efforts to South Vietnam. There were over 3,400 U.S. military advisors in South Vietnam by the end of 1962. -
Diem Overthrown
With tacit approval from the U.S., South Vietnamese General Duong Van Minh overthrew Diem regime. Diem and his brother Nhu were assassinated in the following day. The U.S. recognized General Duong’s military rule. 15,000 US military advisors were in South Vietnam in 1963. -
Kennedy Assasinated
In 1963, JFK was assasinated in Dallas, Texas by Lee Harvey Oswald. Vice President Johnson took over as President. -
Gulf of Tonkin
North Vietnamese boats allegedly attacked two U.S. destroyers (USS Maddox) sitting in the waters of Gulf of Tonkin. -
Bombing Retaliation
The captain of th USS Maddox reported the attack on his ship. Not even 6 hours later President Johnson ordered retaliatory strikes. The U.S. jets bombed 2 North Vietnamese naval bases for the first time. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
An aerial bombardment campaign against North Vietnam known as Operation Rolling Thunder began. The continuous operation would go on for more than 3 years. The U.S. aslo conducted a mission to destroy the Ho Chi Minh Trail to cut off all supply to north Vietnam. -
Thieu Elected
Nguyen Van Thieu became President of Republic of Vietnam also known as South Vietnam after winning the election. -
Tet Offensive
Viet Cong supported by North Vietnamese forces launched the Tet Offensive, attacking around one hundred South Vietnamese cities. The Viet Cong lost 37,000 men, while the U.S. lost 2,500 soldiers. General Westmoreland requested 206,000 more troops after the offensive. Public support for the war in the country depreciated as a result. -
Cambodia Invaded
U.S. troops invaded Cambodia hoping to destroy all bases providing aid to the Viet Cong. The U.S. soldiers destroyed thousands of weapons and rice as well as killing 10,000 Viet Cong. This operation lasted 60 days. -
Kent State & Jackson State
During massive anti-war demonstrations at Kent State University, 4 students were shot and killed, nine were wounded and one was paralysed for life. These killings sparked anger and sentiment worldwide against America’s aggression in Cambodia and their involvement in Vietnam. Ten days later, another 2 students were killed during protests in Jackson State College in Mississippi. -
Pentagon Papers Published
American military analyst Daniel Ellsberg leaked top-secret information about American political and military involvement in Vietnam from 1945 to 1967. The New York Times began publishing these papers known as the "Pentagon Papers" -
Paris Peace Accord
North Vietnam, South Vietnam and the U.S. Representatives signed the Paris Peace Accords in which a ceasefire was established immediately and the U.S. agreed to withdraw all its combat troops. In turn North Vietnam would release all American Prisoners of War (POWs). Nearly 600 POWs were released in March. -
Feeding Saigon
Thousands of South Vietnamese fled Saigon as the North Communist invasion become more detrimental during the final weeks of April. U.S Marines and Air Force helicopters began a massive airlift. Within 18 hours, over 1,000 Americans and almost 7,000 South Vietnamese were evacuated from Saigon. -
Saigon & South Vietnam Fell
Last two U.S. men were killed at Tan Son Nhut airport in their evacuation mission. South Vietnam fell as the acting President Duong Van Minh surrendered to the North Communists. The Vietnam war eventually ended.
