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First Indochina War begins
Viet Minh launch first large scale attack against the French sending 30,000 troops into Hanoi. -
United States Involvement in Vietnam Begins
President Harry Truman sends 15 million dollars in military aid to the French. -
Korean War Ends
The Korean War ends as an armistice is signed dividing the country at the 38th parallel into Communist North and Democratic South. The armistice is seen by many in the international community as a potential model for resolving the ongoing conflict in Vietnam. -
Geneva Accords are Signed
The conference produced a set of documents known as the Geneva Accords. These agreements separated Vietnam into two zones, a northern zone to be governed by the Vietminh, and a southern zone to be governed by the State of Vietnam. -
North Vietnamese establish the Central Office of South Vietnam
North Vietnamese establish the Central Office of South Vietnam (COSVN) to oversee the coming war in the South. Construction of the Ho Chi Minh trail now begins. The trail will eventually expand into a 1500 mile-long network of jungle and mountain passes extending from North Vietnam's coast along Vietnam's western border through Laos, parts of Cambodia, funneling a constant stream of soldiers and supplies into the highlands of South Vietnam. In 1959, it takes six months to make the journey, by -
America sends Green Barets to Vietnam
President Kennedy sends 400 American Green Beret 'Special Advisors' to South Vietnam to train South Vietnamese soldiers in methods of 'counter-insurgency' in the fight against Viet Cong guerrillas. The role of the Green Berets soon expands to include the establishment of Civilian Irregular Defense Groups (CIDG) made up of fierce mountain men known as the Montagnards. These groups establish a series of fortified camps strung out along the mountains to thwart infiltration by North Vietnamese. -
The Declaration on the Neutrality of Laos signed
The Declaration on the Neutrality of Laos signed in Geneva by the U.S. and 13 other nations, prohibits U.S. invasion of portions of the Ho Chi Minh trail inside eastern Laos. -
President Kennedy signs the Foreign Assistance Act
President Kennedy signs the Foreign Assistance Act of 1962 which provides "...military assistance to countries which are on the rim of the Communist world and under direct attack." -
First American Bombs Drop on North Vietnam
Although immediate doubts arise concerning the validity of the second attack, the Joint Chiefs of Staff strongly recommend a retaliatory bombing raid against North Vietnam. Press reports in America greatly embellish the second attack with spectacular eyewitness accounts although no journalists had been on board the destroyers. At the White House, President Johnson decides to retaliate. Thus, the first bombing of North Vietnam by the United States occurs as oil facilities and naval targets are -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution is Signed
In response to the two incidents involving the Maddox and Turner Joy, the U.S. Congress, at the behest of President Johnson, overwhelmingly passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution put forward by the White House allowing the President "to take all necessary steps, including the use of armed force" to prevent further attacks against U.S. forces. The Resolution, passed unanimously in the House and 98-2 in the Senate, grants enormous power to President Johnson to wage an undeclared war in Vietnam from -
Operation Rolling Thunder Begins
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. -
First American Troops Arrive in Vietnam
The first U.S. combat troops arrive in Vietnam as 3500 Marines land at China Beach. -
President Johnson Increases Number of Troops.
During a noontime press conference, President Johnson announces he will send 44 combat battalions to Vietnam increasing the U.S. military presence to 125,000 men. -
March on Washington Occurs
Students for a Democratic Society lead a March on Washington that include 25,000 anti-war protesters. -
Largest Offensive of the War is Executed
The largest U.S. military offensive of the war occurs. Operation Junction City involves 22 U.S. and four South Vietnamese battalions attempting to destroy the NVA's Central Office headquarters in South Vietnam. Operation Junction City ends with 2728 Viet Cong killed and 34 captured. American losses are 282 killed and 1576 wounded. -
Viet Cong Guerrillas Launch Tet Offensive
The turning point of the war occurs as 84,000 Viet Cong guerrillas aided by NVA troops launch the Tet Offensive attacking a hundred cities and towns throughout South Vietnam. -
Paris Peace Talks Open
Paris peace talks open with the U.S., South Vietnam, North Vietnam and the Viet Cong all in attendance. -
Kent State Massacre
At Kent State University in Ohio, National Guardsmen shoot and kill four student protesters and wound nine. -
Last US Troops Leave Vietnam
The last U.S. combat troops depart Vietnam. -
Last Americans Depart the Embassy in Vietnam
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. President Minh broadcasts a message of unconditional surrender. The war is over.
