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Vietnamese War
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Johnson Reports To Kennedy
Vice President Johnson returns to the United States from a visit to Southeast Asia and gives a report to Kennedy on his trip. He states that the US must either help the countries of Southeast Asia or pull back its defenses toSan Francisco. -
Kennedy and Diem Meet
Following a meeting between South Vietnam's President Diem and Kennedy, the United States agrees to increase the number of American advisors in Vietnam from 340 to 805. The commitment places the prestige of the Kennedy Adminstration behind the efforts in Vietnam. -
First US Helicopters Arrive
The USNS Core arrives in Saigon, with the first U.S. helicopter units: 33 Vertol H-21 C Shawnee and 400 crewmen. -
US Begins To Use Defoliants
The U.S. Air Force launches Operation Ranch Hand to deny the Vietcong the use of the road and trails. Using a defoliating herbicide named "Agent Orange", over 10% of the vegetation in Vietnam is destroyed during the course of the war. The defoliant also causes severe disabilities among Vietnam veterans. -
Helicopters OrderedTo Shoot First
U.S. Helicopters are ordered to shoot first when encountering hostile forces after two helicopters are shot down while ferrying South Vietnamese troops. -
Government TroopsFire On Buddhists
South Vietnamese troops, enforcing a ban on the Buddhist multi-colored flag, fire upon 20,000 Buddhists at Hue. The attack begins a series of intensifying protests by Buddhists against the government. -
US Bases Attacked
Viet Cong troops attack a helicopter base at Camp Halloway. The troops blow up the barracks of US military advisors at Pleiku, killing 8 Americans and wounding 126. President Johnson orders immediate reprisals, as 49 US Navy jets attack North Vietnam. -
Bombing Halts
The United States halts the bombing of North Vietnam. During the halt, the U.S. engages in a massive peace offensive aimed at finding a diplomatic settlement to the war. The North Vietnamese do not recipricate and, after 37 days, President Johnson announces that the bombing will resume. -
Heaviest Air Raid of War
Five hundred US Air Force planes bomb targets in North Vietnam in the heaviest air raid of the war. -
Record Number Of US Planes Downed
Fuel dumps and truck parks are hit around Hanoi. A record eight US planes are downed, bringing U.S. aircraft losses over North Vietnam to a total of 435 planes. -
Bloody Battle Near Dak To
One of the bloodiest battles of the war takes place in the Central Highlands near Dak To. About 4,500 troops of the U.S. 4th Division and 173rd Airborne Brigade face off 6,000 North Vietnamese troops of the 174th regiment. The North Vietnamese are forced to withdraw, with 1,455 dead troops. U.S. casualities number 285 killed and 985 wounded -
My Lai Massacre
A unit of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion 20th Infantry, slaughter 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. -
President NixonBegins Withdrawal
Nixon begins withdrawing troops from Vietnam. By the end of the year, U.S. troops are down to 479,000. In 1969, 9,414 Americans are killed in Vietnam.
