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Eisenhower Refuses Troops*
President Dwight D. Eisenhower refuses to commit to sending troops into the French-Vietnamese War. "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" he stated during a press conference. -
French Involvement Ends*
The Viet Minh won the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, ending French involvement in Indochina. The French surrendered to the Viet Minh. This led to the Geneva Conference where a ceasefire agreement was negotiated between the French and Viet Minh. -
Vietnam is Divided*
Following the Geneva conference, Vietnam was divded at the 17th Parallel until 1956. In 1956, elections would be held to reunify the country. The agreement was signed between the French and Ho Chi Minh, the United States and South Vietnamese government both refused to sign but promise to uphold the agreement. -
Emigration of Vietnamese
In September 1954, approximately 850,000 North Vietnamese emigrate to South Vietnam and approximately 80,000 South Vietnamese emigrate to North Vietnam. -
Vietnam War Begins (for the United States)*
Firm support was pledged to both South Vietnam and Diem by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. This support began the involvement of the United States in the Vietnamese War. -
First American Casualties*
The first U.S. military casualties of the Vietnam War occured in Saigon. 13 soldiers were injured during 3 various terrorist bombings. The bombings were attacks against the installations of the Military Assistance Advisory Group and US Information Service. -
First Americans Killed Non-Combat*
The first U.S. military non-combat deaths of the Vietnam War occured in Bien Hoa. 2 soldiers were killed during a guerrilla attack on a Military Assistance Advisory Group. Major Dale R. Ruis and Master Sergeant Chester M. Ovnand were the first US military deaths during America's involvement in the Vietnam War. -
Kennedy elected President*
On November 8, 1960, John F. Kennedy was elected the 35th president of the United States. He was the youngest man to be elected president and the first Christian at that time. Kennedy was the president that established the United States policy of aid to South Vietnam. -
First American Combat Death
The first U.S. military combat death of the Vietnam War occured on Dec. 22, 1961. Specialist 4 James T. Davis was the first US military combat death during America's involvement in the Vietnam War. -
Diem is Assassinated*
The South Vietnamese president Ngo Dinh Diem was assassinated on November 2, 1963. The United States had knowledge of the assassination by South Vietnamese generals. Diem was Catholic but was viewed as a tyrant by the Buddhist majority. Kennedy immediately regretted this assassination and several weeks later, he was assassinated as well. -
Kennedy is assassinated*
President John F. Kennedy was assassinated during a presidential motorcade in Dallas, Texas. He was shot twice in the head by Lee Harvey Oswald. Oswald completed the fourth and most recent successful assassination of a President. Following the assassination, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson became President. Johnson's approval rating dropped from 70% to 40% after he became President due to his actions involving the Vietnam War. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident*
The first Gulf of Tonkin incident occurred on August 2, 1964 when the USS Maddox was performing a patrol of signal intelligence. The Maddox sent in a report of attack by 3 North Vietnamese torpedos. No US deaths occured but there were 4 North Vietnamese deaths and 6 injuries. -
Second Gulf of Tonkin Incident
The Gulf of Tonkin incident or the USS Maddox incident was originally believed to be two seperate confrontations between North Vietnam and the United States. Originally, the NSA claimed that a second Gulf of Tonkin incident occurred. Evidence was found of false radar images and not actual North Vietnamese torpedo boats. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was passed by U.S. Congress. This resolution allowed President Lyndon B. Johnson the ability to take any actions he deems necessary to defend South Vietnam against Vietcong Forces. -
First Combat Units Arrive
The first combat units of the U.S. army arrive in Vietnam. -
Preliminary Talks
The government of Ho Chi Minh's declares that they are prepared to begin discussing peace. The level of U.S. Troops still continues to rise. -
Ho Chi Minh Dies
At age 79, Ho Chi Minh died. In his will, he requested that he be cremated but his family had him embalmed. -
U.S. Withdraws from Vietnam*
On March 29, 1973, President Nixon ordered the last troups of the United States military to withdraw from Vietnam. This withdrawl brought about the end of America's longest war and first loss. During his withdrawl declaration, Nixon stated "the day we have all worked and prayed for has finally come."
