-
Battle of Dien Bien Phu
U.S. refuses to sign Geneva Accords.
Importance: U.S. will not cease fire. Agrees to give aid to Diem -
U.S. agrees to train Diem's Army
Importance: U.S. becomes South Vietnam ally. -
U.S. Military Advisors Killed
Importance: First American casualties -
U.S. Advisors Increase Dramatically
Importance: Recognition that fighting the war will be complex and difficult. -
President Diem Killed in Military Coup
Importance: South Vietnam loses leader, U.S. loses ally. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
Importance: U.S. motivated to bomb targets in North Vietnam and officially enter the war. -
Operation Rolling Thunder Begins
Importance: Over 200,000 U.S. troops overseas -
My Lai Massacre
Importance: Vietnamese women and children killed; launches U.S. military investigation. -
U.S. Death Toll Exceeds that of Korean War
Importance: Nixon withdraws 25,000 troops -
Nixon Orders Bombing of Cambodia
Importance: Ho Chi Minh Kiled -
Peace Talks Between North Vietnam and America Begins
Importance: The war may end soon. -
Operation Linebacker Implemented
Importance: North Vietnam loses 1,300-1,500 -
Ceasefire Signed by All Those Involved
Importance: The war may really be ending. -
North Vietnam Takes Over Saigon
Importance: War officially ends -
