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Vietnam Indpendence
Vietnam declares it's independence from France. This event is important to history because this is the establishment of Vietnam as an independent country. -
Viet Minh lose the South
The British arrive in Saigon to disarm the Japanese and give control of Vietnam back to the French. Eventually, Viet Minh withdraws and leaves the south. This event is important because this is what kick started the issues Vietnam had with the US and other countries. -
First American death in Vietnam
OSS officer Lt. Col. A. Peter Dewey is killed by Viet Minh who mistook Dewey as a French soldier. This event is important as Dewey had written a letter to the U.S suggesting that the U.S get involved in the war. His death contributed as reason for involvement as people were being killed if they looked like French soldiers. -
Ho Chi Minh writes letter to Truman
Ho Chi Minh writes a letter to president Harry S. Truman asking for support in regaining Vietnamese independence from French and Japanese. This event is important because this is the first initial contact between Vietnam and the United States asking for involvement and support. -
First IndoChina War
Viet Minh attacks the France for occupying part of Vietnam. The Vietnamese are secretly being funded by the United States. This event is important because this marks the involvement of the United States with Vietnam. -
White House foreign policy goal
Communist forces defeat the Nationalist Army in the Chinese civil war.This victory ignites American anti-Communist goal regarding Southeast Asia. The White House foreign policy goal of "containment" of Communist expansion in the region grows stronger. This event is important because this causes the growing support of America and the involvement in Vietnam. -
US begins involvement
President Truman authorizes military involvement in Vietnam and supplies $15 million in military aid to the French. This event is important because the United States is no longer involved in aiding the Vietnamese and is now supplying the French with weapons in efforts to stop Communism in Vietnam. -
MAAG Established
The Military Assitance Advisory Group is established by the United States in Saigon to assist the French military. -
Eisenhower inagurated
Dwight D. Eisenhower is inagurated as president. During his presidency, Eisenhower increases military aid to French in efforts to defeat Communism in Vietnam. Additionally, the "Domino Theory" is created. This event is important because America's role in defeating Communism in Vietnam is strengthened -
First Deaths in Second IndoChina War
Maj. Dale Buis and Sgt. Chester Ovnand, two United States military advisors,are killed by Viet Minh in South Vietnam. They are the first people killed in the second Indochina War, which will later become known as the Vietnam War. This event is important because this is the second time US representatives have been mistaken for French soldiers. This also strenghtens reasoning for American involvement in Communist Vietnam. -
Rolling Thunder
Operation Rolling Thunder begins. It is scheduled to last eight weeks, but lasts three years. This is important because this airstrike has over 100 American fighter jets attacking North Vietnam. They drop nearly 8 million tons of bombs, four times the tonnage dropped during all of World War II, in the largest display of firepower in the history of warfare. -
U.S Combat arrives
The first combat troops arrive in South Vietnam and join the other 23,000 military advisers that were already there. This event is important is because although there was no official date of declaration of war against Vietnam, most Americans view this day as the declaration of war. -
Operation Starlite
The first major U.S ground operation begins in Vietnam. Marines arrive by helicopter and sea . After the battle against Viet Cong, 45 Marines are killed and 120 wounded, while 614 Viet Cong killed and 9 were taken prisoner. This event is important because this victory boostes morale within the troops. -
The Battle of Ia Drang Valley
The Battle of Ia Drang Valley marks the first major battle between the United States and North Vietnamese Army. This event is important because it is a two day long battle and 79 Americans are killed and 121 are wounded. -
End of the Vietnam War
In the morning, the last Americans leave Saigon, concluding American presence in Vietnam. Later that morning, the Viet Cong flags is flown at the presidential palace. President Mihn broadcasts a message of surrender, and the war is officially declared over. This event is critical because it marks the end of the war. One that lasted years, and took thousands of lives.
