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Truman Doctrine
Truman introduces a policy stating that the US will fight to end communism. This ideology leads to America getting involved in the Vietnam War. -
Military advisors are sent to train South Vietnam troops
Truman sends special military advisors to South Vietnam. Around 700 are sent, but by 1962 there were 11,000 military advisors in South Vietnam. -
The US backs a military coup against Diem
The US backs South Vietnam in a coup against the unpopular lead Diem. Him and his brother are killed and 12 different governments attempt to take the lead in South Vietnam. -
First search and destroy missions are carried out
Soldier begin doing search and destroy missions where enemy troops were thought to be. These were some of the first times American troops were going hand to hand with North Vietnamese troops. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
Vietnam attacks an American ship and the US doesn't counter. Another attack is reported but not confirmed. Johnson then begins to prepare to counter. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Johnson is given power to take any steps necessary to counter any further attacks. He immediately orders for a bombing in North Vietnam. -
First Marines land in Danang
The first troops are deployed in Vietnam.They land in Danang. -
American troops fight its first large scale battles against the North Vietnamese
The first large scale conflicts take place in the Ia Drang Valley. These are some of the first American casualties of the war in Vietnam. -
Number of soldiers increase
The number of troops in Vietnam increases to 536,100. This is nearly all the troops that the US would deploy to Vietnam. -
Tet Offensive
Coordinated attack by North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong guerrillas, with the aim of spurring the South's population into revolt and ending the war. Attack fails as U.S. Army and Marines fight back fiercely, but propaganda point is made, especially when Viet Cong physically attacks U.S. Embassy in Saigon.
