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Establishment of Viet Cong
A political group fighting against the government in South Vietnam began formally calling themselves Viet Cong. The United States ended up fighting the Viet Cong thorughout the entire Vietnam War. -
Battle of Ap Bac
The Battle of Ap Bac was the first major battle of the Vietnam War, ending on January 2, 1963. The U.S. aided South Vietnam in the battle and the U.S. began to get more invested in the war. -
Diem overthrown
South Vietnam's President Diem is overthrown in a military coup. The coup takes place with the approval of the United States. Diem was killed during the coup, despite assurances that he would not be. The United States had hoped that by overthrowing the unpopular Diem, it could strengthen the opposition to the communist Viet Cong. -
The USS Maddox is attacked(Gulf of Tonkin)
A Northern Vietnam patrol boat fired on the USS Maddox while it was patrolling the Gulf of Tonkin near the coast of North Vietnam. Three North Vietnamese torpedo boats attacked the USS Maddox, resulting in a sea war where one U.S. ship got damaged, three North Vietnamese torpedo boats got damaged, and four North Vietnamese sailors died. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
The US of Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which gave President Johnson the power to take any actions he thought necessary to defend South Vietnam from Viet Cong forces. This is also known as Blank Check. -
Camp Holloway Attack
About 300 Viet Cong soldiers attacked the U.S. base at Camp Holloway. -
Operation Rolling Thunder is Approved
President Johnson authorizes Operation Rolling Thunder, a small but extensive bombing tactic. Its aim was to force North Vietnam to forgo supporting the Viet Cong. -
Rolling Thunder Occurs
The first bombing raids of Rolling Thunder take place. -
Tet Offensive
General Vo Nguyen Giap led 70,000 soldiers of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) to launch the Tet offensive, where DRV soldiers attacked over 100 towns and cities in South Vietnam. The United States and South Vietnam were able to recover and began to strike back. However, a few months later, President Johnson called the bombing to halt. -
My Lai Massacre
https://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/my-lai-massacre A unit of Charlie Company, slaughtered between 200 and 500 unarmed villagers in the hamlet of My Lai. Led by Lieutenant William Calley, the platoon is ordered to enter the village firing. -
Peace Talks Begin in Paris
Representatives from the US, South Vietnam, and the NLF(vietcong) discuss peace in Paris. -
Vietnamization
Nixon announces his plan for "Vietnamization" of the war.Which was the training and transitioning South Vietnamese troops to assume the roles that have been fulfilled by American troops. -
Invasion of Cambodia
President Nixon stuns Americans by announcing U.S. and South Vietnamese incursion into Cambodia.The incursion is in response to continuing Communist gains. -
Congress Votes to Withdraw Troops
Congress votes to withdraw all US troops by the year's end. -
Vietnam War Officially Ends
The war is officially over for the US. The last US soldier leaves Vietnam, but military advisors and some Marines rremain. Over 3 million Americans served in the war, leaving 60,000 dead and 150,000 wounded. -
Saigon Falls
The North Vietnamese takes Saigon and the war ends.
