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US Training South Vietnamese
The US Military Assistance Advisor Group (MAAG) assumes responsibility, from French, for training South Vietnamese forces. -
Terrorist Bombings in Saigon
Thirteen Americans working for MAAG and US Information Service are wounded in terrorist bombings in Saigon. -
US Servicemen Killed in Guerilla Attack
Major Dale R. Buis and Master Sargeant Chester M. Ovnand become the first Americans to die in the Vietnam War when guerillas strike at Bienhoa -
US Military Employs Agent Orange
US Air Force begins using Agent Orange -- a defoliant that came in metal orange containers-to expose roads and trails used by Vietcong forces. -
Kennedy Assasination
Kennedy's death meant that the problem of how to proceed in Vietnam fell squarely into the lap of his vice president, Lyndon Johnson. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
Sustained American bombing raids of North Vietnam, dubbed Operation Rolling Thunder, begin in February. The nearly continuous air raids would go on for three years. -
"We Gotta Get Out Of This Place"
[Click Here to Listen to the Music](www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHGxBlxqEVk&feature=watch_response) By: The Animals."We had absolute unanimity is this song being the touchstone. This was the Vietnam anthem. Every bad band that ever played in an armed forces club had to play this song." -Vietnam Vet quote from UW- Madison interview 2006 -
LBJ Meets with South Vietnamese Leaders
US President Lyndon Johnson meets with South Vietnamese Premier Nguyen Cao Ky and his military advisors in Honolulu. Johnson promises to continue to help South Vietnam fend off aggression from the North, but adds that the US will be monitoring South Vietnam's efforts to expand democracy and improve economic conditions for its citizens. -
Veterans Stage Anti-War Rally
Veterans from World Wars I and II, along with veterans from the Korean war stage a protest rally in New York City. Discharge and separation papers are burned in protest of US involvement in Vietnam. -
"Vietnam Song"
Click Here to Listen to the Music By: Country Joe and The Fish
Their best known song is his "The "Fish" Cheer/I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-to-Die Rag," a black comedy novelty song about the Vietnam War. -
North Vietnamese Launch Tet Offensive
In a show of military might that catches the US military off guard, North Vietnamese and Vietcong forces sweep down upon several key cities and provinces in South Vietnam, including its capital, Saigon. Within days, American forces turn back the onslaught and recapture most areas. From a military point of view, Tet is a huge defeat for the Communists, but turns out to be a political and psychological victory. The US military's assessment of the war is questioned and the "end of tunnel" seems ver -
"Fortunate Son"
Click Here to Listen to the Musicb. By: Creedence Clearwater Revival. Inspired by David Eisenhower and Julie Nixon (married in 1968) and the thought that “none of these people were going to be involved with the war” -
Kent State Incident
National Guardsmen open fire on a crowd of student antiwar protesters at Ohio's Kent State University, resulting in the death of four students and the wounding of eight others. President Nixon publicly deplores the actions of the Guardsmen, but cautions: "...when dissent turns to violence it invites tragedy." Several of the protesters had been hurling rocks and empty tear gas canisters at the Guardsmen. -
"Ohio"
Click Here to listen to the songb. By: Crosby Stills Nash and Young. In reaction to the Kent State Shootings on May 4th 1970. Released as a singled- reached #14 on the Billboard top 100 -
"Peace Train"
Click Here to Listen to the Music By: Cat Stevens “There is a powerful need for people to feel that gust of hope rise up again. As a member of humanity and as a Muslim, this is my contribution to the call for a peaceful solution.” - Cat Stevens -
Cease-fire Signed in Paris
A cease-fire agreement that, in the words of Richard Nixon, "brings peace with honor in Vietnam and Southeast Asia," is signed in Paris by Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Tho. The agreement is to go into effect on January 28. -
Henery Kissinger receives Nobel Peace Prize
In 1973, Kissinger, while serving as the United States Secretary of State, and Le Duc Tho were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the Paris Peace Accords of 1973, "intended to bring about a cease-fire in the Vietnam war and a withdrawal of the American forces," Unlike Tho, who refused the prize because Vietnam was still at war, Kissinger accepted it. -
"Goodnight Saigon"
Click Here to Listen to the Music By Billy Joel. The song depicts the situation and attitude of United States Marines beginning with their military training on Parris Island and then into different aspects of Vietnam combat.
