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Johnson takes oath as president
Lyndon B. Johnson takes the oath as president and declares, "We can never again stand aside, prideful in isolation. Terrific dangers and troubles that we once called "foreign" now constantly live among us..." -
South Vietnam's government seized
General Khanh seizes full control of South Vietnam's government. -
Gurrillas attack US military
Viet Cong guerrillas attack the US military compound at Pleiku in the Central Highlands, killing 8 Americans, wounding 126 and destroying 10 aircrafts. -
Operation Rolling Thunder begins
Over 100 American fighter-bombers attack targets in North Vietnam. The first US air strike also occured against the Ho Chi Minh trail. During the entire war, the US flew 3 million sorties and dropped about 8 million tons of bombs. -
President Johnson authorizes sending Marine battalions
At the White House, President Johnson authorizes sending two more Marine battalions and up to 20000 logistical personnel to Vietnam. He authorized American combat troops to conduct patrols to route out Viet Cong in the countryside. This is kept from the American press and public for two months. -
President Johnson delievers his "Peace Without Conquest"
President Johnson delievered his "Peace Without Conquest" speech at John Hopkins University offering Hanoi unconditional discussions to stop the war for massive economic assistance to modernize Vietnam. His peace overture is quickly rejected. -
First bombing pause announced by the US
The first bombing pause is announced by the US in hopes that Hanoi will negotiate. There will be 6 more pauses during the Rolling Thunder bombing campaign with the same intention. The North VIetnamnese ignore the peace overtures and use the pause to repair air defences and send more troops and supplies into the South via the Ho Chi Minh trail. -
President Johnson announces he will send battalions to Vietnam
President Johnson announces he will send 44 combat battalions to Vietnam to increase the US military presence to 125000 men. Monthly draft calls are doubled to 35000. -
Operation Starlite begins
Operation Starlite begins the first major US ground operation in Vietnam as US Marines wage a preemptive strike against 1500 Viet Cong planning to assault the American airfield at Chu Lai. The Marines arrive by helicopter and by sea following heavy artillery and air bombardment of VIet Cong positions. -
Battle of Ia Drang Valley begins
The Battle of Ia Drang Valley marks the first major battle between the US troops and North Vietnamese Army regulars inside South Vietnam. American Army troops of the 1st Calvary Division repsond to the NVA threat by using helicopters to fly directly into the battle zone. After landing, the troops quickly disembark then engage in fierce fire fights, supported by heavy artillery and B-52 air strikes.
