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President Lyndon B Johnson
In November of 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson wins his 4-year term after finishing previous President John F. Kennedy's term. Lyndon B. Johnson was a firm believer of the domino theory and is a reason why the United States goes all-in on North Vietnam. -
The Vietnam War Draft Begins
Congress signs on to a bill that allows U.S. males to be drafted into the military to be sent to Vietnam. Out of 27 million eligible Americans, 2.2 million men are drafted and 2.7 million men and women were sent to Vietnam. -
U.S.S Maddox is Attacked
On August 2nd, 1964, the U.S.S Maddox is attacked by 3 North Vietnamese torpedo boats in the Gulf of Tonkin. This attack was provoked by the United States as we were firing artillery onto specific points. This was the first attack reported by this ship. -
The U.S.S Maddox is "Attacked" for the Second Time.
The U.S.S Maddox thinks that they are fired upon by North Vietnamese ships. This is reported as the second time they are attacked, and Lyndon B. Johnson decides to launch attacks on the North Vietnamese and prepares Operation Rolling Thunder. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
This bill, passed by Congress with only 2 opposing votes, gave Lyndon B. Johnson the power to "do as he feels fit" in Vietnam. This invited the start to a military draft lottery, and allows Johnson to do anything without Congress' approval. -
Operation Pierce Arrow
This operation was in response to the "second attack" against the U.S.S Maddox in the Gulf of Tonkin. This results in North Vietnamese naval ports and boats being bombed. -
Operation Flaming Dart Begins
A week after Johnson's inauguration, he authorizes Operation Flaming Dart, a series of targeted bombings against the North Vietnamese. This paves the way for a longer, more powerful operation, Operation Rolling Thunder. -
First U.S. Combat Troops land in Da Nang, Vietnam
On March 8th, 1965, 3,500 navy combat troops land in Da Nang, South Vietnam under President Lyndon B. Johnson's hand. These are some of the first troops to enter the war. -
Operation Rolling Thunder Begins
On March 22nd, Operation Rolling Thunder, which is the repetitive bombing of many targets in North Vietnam. Pilots found themselves bombing the same points because the North Vietnamese would just rebuild their supply depots and military bases. -
Operation Tiger Hound Begins
On December 8th, Operation Tiger Hound, an operation to stop the flow of ammunition, guns, people, and supplies to South Vietnamese part of the National Liberation Front, or the Viet Cong. This operation halted movement through the Ho Chi Minh Trail, the military route these arms were moving along. -
President Nixon enters Office
37th President Richard Nixon is sworn into office. He branched his campaign with "Vietnamization", however, as much as he was withdrawing troops, he was escalating the war. -
Operation Menu Begins
Nixon's secret plan to bomb communist bases in Cambodia and Laos. Over the course of 14 months, the operation was broken down into meals of the day: Lunch, Snack, Dinner, Dessert, and Supper. It ultimately failed to remove the threat in the neutral countries.