vietnamotto

By gotto

  • Dien Bien Phu

    Vietnamese take over a French command post at Dien Bien Phu after a battle lasting 55 days, causeing the French to loss thier resolve to carry on with the war.

  • Ho Chi Minh Trail

    The North Vietnamese start to build a trail that will allow them to get to supplies to South Vietnam forces which is becomes known as the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

  • United States becomes actively invovled

    400 U.S. soldiers arrive at docks in South Vietnam after Kennedy orders more help for the South Vietnamese against the North Vietcong.

  • Operation Rangeland

    Operation Rangeland is started with the goal to clear vegetation alongside highways, making it harder for the Vietcong to hide.

  • Gulf of Tonkin Attack

    The captain of a U.S. destroyer ship reports that his ship has been fired on and they will be attacked even though later he says the attack never happened, however it still causes the U.S. to bomb two naval bases, and destroy an oil facility.

  • Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

    The U.S. congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. This gives President Johnson the power to take whatever actions he sees necessary to defend southeast Asia.

  • Rolling Thunder Begins

    President Johnson begins Operation Rolling Thunder, a bombing offensive aimed to force North Vietnam to stop supporting the Vietcong.

  • US offers peace for economic aid proposal

    The U.S. offers North Vietnam economic aid in exchange for peace, but is rejected, causing President Johnson to send more than 60,000 troops to Vietnam.

  • First Major Battle of Vietnam War for American Units

    The U.S. launches the first offensive operation by American ground forces in Vietnam.

  • American Forces total 385,000

    At the end of 1966 American forces in Vietnam total 385,000

  • Operation Junction City

    One of the largest air assults ever, Operation Junction City's goal was to destroy Vietcong bases and the Vietcong military headquarters for South Vietnam.

  • Tet Offensive Begins

    On the Tet holiday, the Vietcong stages strong attacks throughout South Vietnam. This causes heavy casualties for both the U.S. and North Vietnam.

  • My Lai massacre

    In the small town of My Lai, U.S. Charlie Company kills about two hundred civilians. The government unsuccessfully tries to cover it up.

  • Khe Sanh attacked by Vietcong

    The Vietcong stage a surpirse attack on Khe Sanh eventually forcing American troops to abandon the base.

  • Rolling Thunder Ends

    After three-and-a-half years, Operation Rolling Thunder comes to an end at the cost of many aircraft. The operation ultimatly failed.

  • Nixon takes Office

    Nixon takes office and wants to end the Vietnam war while still allowing South Vietnam to survive.

  • Operation Menu

    President Nixon authorizes Operation Menu, the bombing of North Vietnamese and Vietcong bases within Cambodia.

  • Spraying of Agent Orange ends

    After the chemical Dioxin is banned in the U.S., but the spraying of Agent Orange continues for a while then stops in the summer of 1971.

  • All but 133,000 US troops come home

    Only 133,000 U.S. soldiers remain in South Vietnam.

  • Peace talks break down

    In Paris, peace talks between the North Vietnamese and the Americans breakdown.

  • Peace talks resume

    North Vietnam and the United States resume peace talks in Paris.

  • Cease Fire Signed

    Everyone taking part in the war signs a cease fire.

  • Nixon resigns

    President Nixon resigns.

  • Last casualties for the US and final evacuation

    The last people to die in the Vietnam war are two U.S. Marines killed in a rocket attack. The last Marines of the force guarding the U.S. embassy lift off.