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Dien Bien Phu
Vietnamese occupy the French post at Dien Bien Phu and the battle lasted 55 days, but the Vietnamese victory kept France from carrying on the war. -
Creation of the Ho Chi Minh Trail
(1959, no specific date) Group 559 (special force), is formed to create a supply route from North Vietnam to Vietcong forces in South Vietnam. They develop a route along the Vietnamese/Cambodian border, with places into Vietnam along its length. -
United States becomes actively involved
(Late 1961, no specific date) U.S begins backing up South Vietnam with military advisors, equipment, and support. -
Operation Rangeland
(Early 1962, no specific date) To clear vegetation alongside highways, making it hard for the Vietcong to hide themselves for ambushes. -
Gulf of Tonkin Attack
Because the American and South Vietamese were along North Vietnams coast, North Vietnam attacked against an American ship on call in the Gulf of Tonkin. -
Gulf Of Tonkin Resolution
Gives President Johnson the power to endure whatever actions he sees necessary to defend southeast Asia. -
Rolling Thunder Begins
Operation Rolling Thunder, was a bombing offensive. It intended to get North Vietnam to stop the Vietcong. -
US Offers Peace for Economic Aid Proposal
The U.S. offers North Vietnam economic aid in exchange for peace, but the offer is rejected. -
President Johnson commits over 60,000 troops to Vietnam
In order to increase American combat support and strength in the war. -
First Major Battle of Vietnam War for American Units
An attack against the U.S. Marine base at Chu Lai was coming, The first major battle of the Vietnam War, the United States is victorious. -
Operation Junction City
One of the largest air-mobile assaults ever, involving 240 helicopters sweeping over Tay Ninh province to begin Operation Junction City. The goal of Junction City is to destroy Vietcong bases and the Vietcong military headquarters for South Vietnam. After 72 days it finally ends, with Americans being successful. -
Khe Sanh Attacked by Vietcong
Khe Sanh was an American Military base in Vietnam that American military officials decided to try and hold base against the attack of the Vietcong. -
Tet Offensive Begins
The Tet Offensive was a series of surprise attacks by the Vietcong and North Vietnam forces on multiple cities, towns, and hamlets throughout South Vietnam. -
My Lai Massacre
In the hamlet of My Lai, U.S. Charlie Company kills about two hundred civilians. Although only one member of the division is tried and found guilty of war crimes, the aftermath of the atrocity is sensed within the Army. -
Nixon Takes Office
(1969, no specific date) Richard Nixon takes office as the new President of the United States. He wants to bring home the troops in Vietnam yet make sure South Vietnam will survive. -
Operation Menu
(Feb 1969, no specific date) President Nixon allows Operation Menu, the bombing of North Vietnamese and Vietcong bases within Cambodia. For four years the U.S bombs Cambodia, dropping over a half million tons of bombs. -
All but 133,000 US Troops Have Come Home
(Jan 1972, no specific date) Only 133,000 U.S. men remain in South Vietnam. The ground war is now more of South Vietnams responsibility by a long shot. -
Peace Talks Break Down
Peace talks between the North Vietnamese and the Americans begin in Paris. -
Peace Talks Resume
The United States resume peace talks in Paris. -
Cease Fire Signed
Every country involved in fighting the war in Vietnam sign a cease fire, potentially leading to the end of the war. -
Last Casualties for the Us and Final Evacuations
(1973 March, no specific date) Amercian soldiers leave Vietnam. The war is officially over for the Americans. -
Nixon Resigns
President Nixon resigns, which means Vietnam is now out of there strongest supporter.