The Vietnam War (1954-1980)

Ho Chi Minh Declares Independence of Vietnam

Sep 2, 1945

On the same day the Japanese surrendered, formally ending World War 2, Ho Chi Minh declares independence from Vietnam and declares himself president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam Source

Battle of Dien Bien Phu Begins

May 7, 1954

Vietnamese forces occupy French command post at Dien Bien Phu in a battle that lasted 55 days. With over 11,000 killed -- from both sides combined -- by the end of the battle, the French lost their resolve to fight in the war. Source

Weapons Moving Along Ho Chi Minh Trail

May 19, 1959

Major General Nguyen Van Vinh of North Vietnam forms Group 559 to begin infiltrating cadres and weapons into South Vietnam via the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The Trail will become a strategic target for future military attacks. Source

US Servicemen Killed in Guerilla Attack

Jul 8, 1959

Two U.S. military advisors, Maj. Dale Buis and Sgt. Chester Ovnand, are killed by Viet Minh guerrillas at Bien Hoa, South Vietnam. They are the first American deaths in the Second Indochina War Source

Operation Chopper

Jan 12, 1962

Helicopters flown by U.S. Army pilots ferry 1,000 South Vietnamese soldiers to sweep a NLF stronghold near Saigon. It marks America's first combat missions against the Vietcong. Source

US Military Employs Agent Orange

Jan 12, 1962

US Air Force begins using Agent Orange -- a defoliant that came in metal orange containers-to expose roads and trails used by Vietcong forces. Source

Diem Overthrown, Murdered

Nov 2, 1963

One of Diem's aides betrays his location to the generals. Diem and his brother, Nhu, offer to surrender from inside a Catholic church and are taken into custody by rebel officers and placed in the back of an armored personnel carrier. While traveling to Saigon, the vehicle stops and Diem and Nhu are assassinated. Source

President John F. Kennedy is Assassinated

Nov 22, 1963

Kennedy's death meant that the problem of how to proceed in Vietnam fell squarely into the lap of his vice president, Lyndon Johnson. He is the fourth President coping with Vietnam and will oversee massive escalation of the war while utilizing many of the same policy advisors who served Kennedy. Source
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Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Aug 7, 1964

The U.S. congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving President Johnson the power to take whatever actions he sees necessary to defend southeast Asia. This resolution grants enormous power to President Johnson to wage an undeclared war in Vietnam from the White House. Source
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China's First Atomic Bomb

Oct 16, 1964

China, North Vietnam's ally -- which, by this time, had also massed troops along its border with Vietnam -- tests its first Atomic Bomb. [Source](http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/vietnam/index-1961.html

Operation "Rolling Thunder" Deploye

Mar 2, 1965

Operation Rolling Thunder begins as over 100 American fighter-bombers attack targets in North Vietnam. Scheduled to last eight weeks, Rolling Thunder will instead go on for three years. Source

Operation Starlight

Aug 17, 1965

Operation Starlite begins the first major U.S. ground operation in Vietnam as U.S. Marines wage a preemptive strike against 1500 Viet Cong planning to assault the American airfield at Chu Lai. 45 Marines are killed and 120 wounded. Viet Cong suffer 614 dead and 9 taken prisoner. Source

Operation Junction City

Feb 21, 1967

In one of the largest air-mobile assaults ever, 240 helicopters sweep over Tay Ninh province to destroy Vietcong bases and the Vietcong military headquarters for South Vietnam. After 72 days, Junction City ends. Source

Nixon Inaugurated and Operation Menu

Mar 17, 1969

Richard Nixon takes office in January of 1969, promising to achieve "Peace With Honor." In March of the same year, Nixon authorizes the secret bombing of Cambodia in an effort to destroy Communist supply routes and base camps. The bombings -- without the knowledge of Congress or the American public -- would continue for fourteen months Source

Cease-Fire Signed in Paris

Jan 27, 1973

The Paris Peace Accords are signed by the U.S., North Vietnam, South Vietnam and the Viet Cong. Under the terms, the U.S. agrees to immediately halt all military activities and withdraw all remaining military personnel within 60 days. Vietnam is still divided. Source

The War Is Over

Apr 30, 1975

At 8:35 a.m., the last Americans, ten Marines from the embassy, depart Saigon, concluding the United States presence in Vietnam. North Vietnamese troops pour into Saigon and encounter little resistance. By 11 a.m., the red and blue Viet Cong flag flies from the presidential palace. President Minh broadcasts a message of unconditional surrender. The war is over. Source