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Period: to
1961
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President JFK was Inaugerated
John F. Kennedy is inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States -
Kennedy & the CIP
John F. Kennedy approves the Countersurgency Plan for Vietnam that offered money to increase the size of the Army and Cicvil Guard in exchange for Ngo Dinh Diem broadening his government, agreeing on a national strategy to defeat the Viet Cong. -
President JFK informs the American public
President Kennedy tells the American public "The security of all Southeast Asia will be endangered if Laos loses its neutral independence." -
Bay of Pigs
Cuban exiles are defeated at the Bay of Pigs by Castro's army. The U.S. Navy rescues 26 members of the Brigade, the rest are captured or killed. -
VP Johnson visits South Vietnam
U.S. Vice President Lyndon Johnson visits South Vietnam proclaiming strong support for Diem. Known as the 'Winston Churchill of Asia'. -
Johnson reports back to Kennedy
VP Johnson returns to the U.S. to report back to Kennedy that the U.S. must either help the countries of Southest Asia or pull back it's defenses. -
Kennedy & Diem meet
Following the meeting between South Vietnam's President Diem and Kennedy, the U.S. agrees to increase the number of American advisors in Vietnam from 340 to 805. This commitment shows Kennedy's efforts in Vietnam. -
President JFK sends letter to President Diem
On the sixth anniversary of the Republic of South Vietnam, President Kennedy sends a letter to President Diem and pledges "the United States is determined to help Vietnam preserve its independence..." -
President John F. Kennedy orders more help
President John F. Kennedy ordered more help for the South Vietnamese government in its war against the Vietcong guerrillas. U.S. backing includes new equipment and more than 3,000 military advisors and support personnel. -
First U.S. combat death
An American serviceman dies in Vietnam being the first combat death reported. This death marks the beginning of the Vietnam War.
