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Dien Bien Phu
Located in Northwestern Vietnam. The Vietnamese victory shattered France's resolve to carry on the war. The battle lasted 55 days. Three thousand French troops killed, 8,000 wounded. The Viet Minh had 8,000 dead and 12,000 wounded, -
Creation of the Ho Chi Minh trail
The Ho Chi Minh Trail was a network of roads built from North Vietnam to South Vietnam through the countries of Laos and Cambodia. It provided support to the Vietcong and the North Vietnamese Army during the Vietnam War. It was a combination of truck routes and paths for foot and bicycle traffic. The trail was 16,000-kilometers (9,940-mile) -
United States becomes actively involved
The United States entered the Vietnam war to stop the spread of Communism in Southeast Asia. American leaders feared that Communist forces would gain control of Vietnam. After that, nation after nation might fall to Communism. -
Gulf of Tonkin Attack
The attack involved the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) and the United States in the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin.It was a sea battle, in which the USS Maddox destroyer expended over 280 3" and 5" shells, which also involved the strafing from four USN F8 Crusader jet fighter bombers, all of which resulted in the damage to one US aircraft, one 14.5mm hit on the destroyer, 3 damaged torpedo boats, and 4 North Vietnamese sailors killed and 6 wounded; with no US casualties. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Was a naval battle that may have involved the Tonkin Ghosts, and no actual NVN Torpedo Boats were attacked. The resolution granted President Lyndon B. Johnson the authority to assist any Southeast Asian country whose government was considered to be jeopardized by communist aggression. -
Rolling Thunder Begins
The US launches Rolling Thunder. 100 US Air Force planes and 60 South Vietnamese planes bomb North Vietnam. First air raids against North Vietnam that were not in direct retaliation for Communist attacks.1965 to 1968. -
President Johnson commits over 60,000 troops to Vietnam
Due to North Vietnams rejection of americas offer of economic aid, president johnson sends 60,000 troops to vietnam in preparation of the coming violence. -
US offers peace for economic aid proposal
America offers North Vietnam economic aid in exchange for peace, but they reject the offer. -
First major battle of Vietnam War for American Units
A vietcong deserter reveals that an attack is imminent against the U.S. Marine base at Chu Lai. The American army launches Operation Starlite, the first major battle of the Vietnam War. The United States wins killing nearly 700 Vietcong soldiers. U.S. forces sustain 45 dead and more than 200 wounded. -
Operation Junction City
Junction City was a search and destroy operation, to clear Viet Cong units from War Zone C, northwest of Saigon. Another goal of the operation was to capture or destroy the Vietcong Central Office for South Vietnam. -
Khe Sanh attacked by Vietcong
A barrage of shells, mortars and rockets slam into the Marine base at Khe Sanh. Eighteen Marines are killed instantly and 40 are wounded. -
Tet Offensive begins
In more than 100 cities and towns, attacks by Vietcong commandos are followed by wave after wave of supporting troops.
37,000 Vietcong troops are killed. -
My Lai massacre
In the small town of My Lai, U.S. troops in Charlie Comapny brutally murdered over 200 innocent civilians including women and children. -
Nixon takes office
He promises to achieve "Peace With Honor" in vietnam. -
Operation Menu
U.S. troops bombed North Vietnamese and Vietcong bases in Cambodia -
All but 133,000 US troops have come home
Nixon executes his plan to withdraw american troops from Vietnam. Only 133,000 remain but the majority of the fighting is left to the south Vietnamese army. -
Peace talks break down
Peace talks between the North Vietnamese and the Americans breakdown in Paris. -
Peace talks resume
In Paris, North Vietnam and the United States resume peace talks. -
Cease fire signed
A cease fire is signed by all warring parties in the Vietnam War. -
Nixon resigns
Nixon resigns due to the Watergate Scandal, leaving South Vietnam without its strongest advocate. -
Last Casualties for the US and final evacuation
Two U.S. Marines are killed in a rocket attack at Saigon's Tan Son Nhut airport. They are the last Americans to die in the Vietnam War. At dawn, the Marines guarding the U.S. embassy leave