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1995 BCE
Washington Rekindled Diplomatic Ties with Hanoi
Since Vietnam was Communist, they slowly started moving toward market reforms and pledged full cooperation in finding all Americans listed as MIA (missing-in-action). When this happened, the United states restored their diplomatic ties with their former enemy in 1995. -
1964 BCE
America in Southeast Asia
In Southeast Asia, the American airforce was intensely reinforced. There were two aircraft carriers who landed off the Vietnam coast initiated by a North Vietnamese offensive in Laos. -
1960 BCE
John F. Kennedy Requests More Help for South Vietnamese Army
John F. Kennedy requested more help for the South Vietnamese government while they were at war facing the Vietcong Guerrillas. This order from the US required new equipment and over 3,000 military advisors and support personnel. -
Vietnam Invades the French
The first event to take place. The Vietnamese invade the French command post at Dien Bien Phu. The duration of this war was for 55 days. Unfortunately, 3000 French troops died while 8000 were injured. Meanwhile, Viet Minh was hit much harder. They had 8000 people die and 12000 hurt. Vietnam hit them too hard for the French to continue the fight, -
North Vietnam Travels to South Vietnam
A Northern Vietnamese Army (group 559) was formed to initiate a supply group to travel from North Vietnam towards Vietcong forces in Southern Vietnam. Luckily, the North Vietnam had connections with the Prince Sihanouk of Cambodia and received approval for this army to develop a trail through the Vietnamese/Cambodian border. This also pertained offshoots into Vietnam through the whole length of the trail. Historically this route is known as the Ho Chi Minh Trail. -
America Arrives in South Vietnam
America had sent helicopters to dock in South Vietnam. As well there would be 400 US personnel to help operate the aircraft. -
Operation Chopper
This event is known as the "Operational Chopper". Further, there were helicopters operated by the US Army pilots had 1,000 South Vietnamese troops clear a NLF stronghold near Saigon. This was a staple in America's first ever, combat mission against the Vietcong. -
Operation Ranchhand Begins
The objective of the Ranchhand was to clear vegetation alongside highways. This was suppose to make it harder for the Vietcong to hide themselves from ambushes. As the war went on, so did Ranchhand. A large spread of forestry was sprayed with a substance called "Agent Orange", this was a herbicide containing a deadly chemical known as Dioxin. -
Vietcong 514th Battalion and Local Guerrilla Forces Attack South Vietnam
In the hamlet of Ap Bac, the Vietcong 514th Battalion and local guerrilla forces attacked the South Vietnamese Army's 7th division. The first time ever, the Vietcong held their own against the American's machinery and against South Vietnamese troops. Approximately 400 South Vietnamese were killed or injured. There were 3 American advisors show ere slain. -
South Vietnam Attacks North Vietnam Islands
On July 30th, the South Vietnamese commandos took charge and attacked two smaller North Vietnamee islands that were located on the Gulf of Tonkin. The powerful U.S. destroyer Maddox, an electronic spy ship, is 123 miles south that was able to electronically simulate an air attack to grab North Vietnamese boats from the commandos. -
Captain of the U.S.S Maddox Reports...
The captain of the U.S.S. Maddox reported that the vessel had been fired on and that there would be an attack rising. Even though he stated there was no attack, 6 hours later after the initial report, an abrupt come-back against North Vietnam was delivered by President Johnson. -
U.S. Congress Passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
On this day, the U.S. congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution that gave President Johnson the power to make decisions on which he felt were appropriate to defend Southeast Asia. -
China
China, whom was North Vietnam's neighbour and ally, tested an atomic bomb that was successful. -
Just Before the Presidential Election
Two days prior to the presidential election, Vietcong mortars shell Bien Hoa Air Base near Saigon. Sadly, there were four Americans killed and 76 were injured. There were five B-57 bombers destroyed and 15 were damaged. -
US and Vietnam Exchange Ambassadors
Now that the countries have entered a new era, the two former enemies have developed cooperation with one another. Both the United States and Vietnam decided to exchange ambassadors. A man called Douglas "Pete" Peterson, was a prisoner of war for 6 years throughout the Vietnam War. He was named the US envoy to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, while H.E. Le Van Bang had the position of Vietnamese ambassador to the United States.
