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Johnson Reports To Kennedy
Vice President Johnson returns to the United States from a visit to SoutheastAsia and gives a report to Kennedy on his trip. He states that the US musteither 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 inVietnam from 340 to 805. The commitment places the prestige of the KennedyAdminstration behind the efforts in Vietnam. -
Government TroopsFire On Buddhists
South Vietnamese troops, enforcing a ban on the Buddhist multicoloredflag, fire upon 20,000 Buddhists at Hue. The attack begins a series of intensifyingprotests by Buddhists against the government. -
Viet Cong Troops Cross Border and SeizeHamlets
Five hundred Viet Cong troops cross the border and seize three strategichamlets. They are forced to withdraw after a 14 hour gun fight with ARVN(the South Vietnamese Army of the Republic of Vietnam). They lose 100 men,while ARVN loses 4. -
U.S.S. Maddox Attacked
The U.S.S. Maddox is attacked by North Vietnamese PT boats. The Maddoxhad been sailing in the Gulf of Tonkin since July 28, 1964, to support covertSouth Vietnamese forces operating against North Vietnamese shore installations.The American ship fights off the PT boats, which launch 3 torpedos, noneof which strike the Maddox. On August 3, the Maddox is joined by the USTurner Joy in the Gulf. That night, it is reported that the Turner Joy wasattacked. It is later discovered that the attack never ha -
US Aircraft Attack North Vietnam
In response to the attack on the U.S.S. Maddox, President Johnson ordersan attack by US aircraft on North Vietnam. F-8 Crusader A-4 Skyhawks andSkyraiders take part in the attack. -
US Senate ApprovesTonkin Gulf Resolution
The United States Senate approves the Tonkin Gulf Resolution authorizingthe President to "take all necessary measures" to repel attacksagainst US forces and to "prevent further aggression" in the area.The Resolution provides President Johnson with a blank check to take whateveraction he deems appropriate in South Vietnam. It is the only congressionalaction, other than approving military funding, ever taken during the VietnamWar to authorize American actions during the war. -
ARVN Defeated at Binh Gia
A six day battle around the village of Binh Gia ends with a clear ARVNdefeat. Two hundred of their best troops are killed and three hundred arewounded. Five Americans are killed and three are declared missing. -
Air Raids Resume
When the North Vietnamese fail to respond to the US peace initiative and suspension of bombing, President Johnson orders that the raids be resumed.Raids are conducted against North Vietnamese oil storage tanks. -
Heaviest Air Raid of War
Five hundred US Air Force planes bomb targets in North Vietnamin the heaviest air raid of the war. -
Praire IV
The 26th Marines launch Operation Priare IV east of Khe Sanh. Duringthe operation, 164 marines are killed and 999 are wounded. -
Khe Sanh
The Battle of Khe Sanh begins on January 20th. The North Vietnamese,hoping to recreate their 1954 victory over the French at Dien Bien Phu,begin intense shelling of the US base camp at Khe Sanh, located 14 milesbelow the DMZ. The Marines base can only be reinforced by air, and the Americansland 5,000 bombs daily in defense of the troops in Khe Sanh. In early April,Operation Pegasus is launched to relieve Khe Sanh, finally lifting the seigeon April 14th. -
B-52 Raids Near Cambodian Border
B-52 bombers conduct heavy raids against targets near the Cambodian border.These raids reflect a pattern of increased bombing in South Vietnam alongsupply lines since the end of the bombing of North Vietnam. -
Bombs Dropped Near the DMZ
Thirty-five B-52s drop more than one thousand tons of bombs on NorthVietnamese targets near the DMZ (demilitarized zone) between North and SouthVietnam. -
Largest Anti-War Protest Occurs
More than 250,000 protesters gather in Washington, D.C., in the largestantiwar demonstration to occur during the Vietnam war.
