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First Indochina War
After WWII, North Vietnam was freed from Axis rule, Southern Vietnam was returned to the French, who demanded that the North be returned. With support from the Soviet Union and China, the Communist North defeated the French. The Geneva Conference split Vietnam between a Communist North, and the South under the control of the former emperor of Vietnam -
Battle of Dien Bien Phu
The climactic battle of the First Indochina War. This battle turned the tide of the war, and was the first time that a non-European colonial independence had risen to become a convential army and defeat their European rulers. After a brilliant Viet Minh plan utilizing artillery, and a two month siege, the French were pushed back and eventually surrendered. The Government of France resigned because of this defeat and the new Prime Minister withdrew all forces. -
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Vietnam War (Second Indochina War)
A proxy war that took place in Vietnam, Laos, and Combodia from appoxiamately December 1956 to the Fall of Saigon on the 30th of April 1975. It was fought between North Vietnam (Backed by communist allies) and South Vietnam (Backed by anti-comunist allies). In 1976, the two Vietnams were combined into the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. -
Group 559 Formed
A transportation created by the North Vietnamese to maintain troops and supplies between the north and south. The road the formed would become the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a huge contributing factor to the American loss in Vietnam. -
President Ngô Đình Diệm Assassinated
The President of South Vietnam was assassinated in a coup led by the senior general of the Vietnamese army, Though the Kennedy Administration was aware of the coup being planned, it was policy to not interfere. Though the "president" of a "democratic republic" he ruled with an iron first, opposing and suppressing all who might be against him. Cable 243 was a message from the administration that suggested that a change in leadership might be needed. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
The USS Maddox engaged 3 North Vietnamese torpedo boats in the Gulf of Tonkin (between North Vietnam and Hainan Island. Although there were no US casualties, this event resulted in the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
This Resolution allowed President Johnson the use of convential military force without needing congress to make a formal declaration of war. Only two senators opposed it, and after this Resolution, the American presence in Vietnam escalated rapidly. -
First U.S. Troops Arrive in Vietnam
Sent by Lyndon B. Johnsonm 3,500 Marines land near Da Nang, South Vietnam. They are first U.S. troops to land in Vietnam. -
Operation Starlite
The first major battle of the Vietnam War. A pre-emtive strike to stop the Viet Cong before they could capture the Chu Lai base. The United States managed to keep hold of the base, however both sides claimed victory. This battle revealed that the Vietnamese heat required more water than was the typical ration for soldiers. -
Beginning of Tet Offensive
Viet Cong surprise attacks in South Vietnam. One of the largest campaigns of the war. The Viet Cong struck a devastating blow across the country to a stunned anti-communist force. Although the United States won tactically, dealing a critical blow back, the North Vietnamese forces managed to scare Americans at home with the widespread attacks. -
My Lai Massacre
Believed to be the stronghold for a group of Viet Cong, American soldiers killed somewhere beween 347 and 504 unarmed civilians, including men, women, and children. When the massacre was exposed to the US public (A year and a half later mind you), anti-Vietnam War movements in the US increased in intensity. -
Death of Hồ Chí Minh
Communist leader of North Vietnam, Hồ Chí Minh died from heart failure. Until his last days he still was vocal about the reunification of Vietnam (as a communist nation) and the evacuation of all non-Vietnamese troops out of South Vietnam. After the fall of Saigon, it was renamed Hồ Chí Minh City. -
Ceasefire
All warring parties of the Second Indochina War signed a ceasefire as a prelude to the Paris Peace Accords (ending U.S. involvement in the war). -
All American Troops Leave Vietnam
All American Combat troops are removed from Vietnam as per the Paris Peace Accords. Only a small group stays to guard the US Embassy in Saigon. 3 months later, all further US military action in the region was prohibited, however supplies were still given to South Vietnamese forces. Bombings still continued into August. -
Nixon Resigns
President Richard Nixon resigns while on the brink of being impeached. South Vietnam loses it's strongest advocate and protector. -
Last American servicemen die in Vietnam
Charles McMahon and Darwin Judge, are killed in a rocket attack the day before the Fall of Saigon. They were 21 and 19 respectively -
Mayaguez Incident
The Khmer Rouge boarded the USS Mayaguez off the coast of Cambodia and captured the crew. President Ford ordered a rescus operation and after an extensive raid, most of the crew was rescued, however at least three were stuck on the island (like executed by the Khmer Rouge). This was the last battle of the Vietnam War, and the only between US forces and the Khmer Rouge. -
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
North and South Vietnam were reunited as the Social Republic of Vietnam, the current nation of Vietnam. This signified the end of the conflict, but only led to oppression across the country and further conflict with neighboring nations. -
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Sino-Vietnamese War (Third Indochina War
A Brief War between community China and Vietnam in response to Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia. In the end, both sides claimed victory. In Vietnam, it is known as the "War against Chinese expansionism" and in China, it is the "Defensive Counterattack against Vietnam".
