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Dien Bien Phu
Battle between the French and native Vietnamese at the air supplied base in the Northwestern hills. Vietnamese carried on victory and disuaded the French's want to carry on with the war. -
Creation of Ho Chi Minh Trail
Occuring throughout 1959 the Ho Chi Minh trail was constructed by the North Vietnamese Army along the Cambodian border. This trail was used as a supply route to the Vietcong in South Vietnam. -
Operation Rangeland
Early in 1962 American begins Operation Rangeland to clear away shrubbery and vegetation away from alongside highways. This Operation was developed to make it more difficult for the Vietcong to conceal themselves for surprise attacks on American troops. Start spraying of Agent Orange -
Gulf of Tonkin Attack
A fabricated attack on the U.S.S. Maddox and South Vietnamese lead by the North Vietnamese. However, in reality the South Vietnamese had attempted an attack on teh North Vietnamese. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Passed by the US Congress, the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution gave the President of the United States, Johnson, unlimited power in Vietnam to accomplish the defense of Southeast Asia. -
Start of Rolling Thunder
A series of bombings strategically planned on North Vietnam. Meant to dissuade the North Vietnamese from giving aid to the Vietcong, but was too gradual an attempt to succeed. -
Peace Proposal
The United States offers economic aid to North Vietnam in exchange for peace, however the offer is declined, subsequently causing a rise in the number of troops stationed in Vietnam. -
American Troops
America commits more than 60,000 troops to Vietnam. -
First Major Battle
A deserter from the 1st Vietcong regiment reveals a planned attack on the US Marine base at Chu Lai. United states has an astounding victory, with 700 dead Vietcong, and 45 dead American soldiers. -
Total Troops
The American forces in Vietnam reach 385,000 men with an additional 60,000 commited offshore. -
Operation Junction City
One of the largest air-mobile assaults ever. A raid designed to destroy Vietcong bases and military headquarters in South Vietnam. Mission lasted 72 days and American forces succeed in capturing stores, weapons, and equipment, but doesn't have any large, decisive battles. -
Khe Sanh Attacked
The Marine military base stationed in Khe Sanh is attacked by the Vietcong. 18 Marines are killed and 40 are wounded. The raid lasted for 2 days. -
Tet Offensive Begins
A surge of Vietcong troops attack South Vietnam. Although this was a complete disaster for the Vietcong troops, and the US troops only lost 2500 men compared to 37,000 Vietcong, it led to a serious loss in public support. -
My Lai Massacre
US Charlie Company leads a massacre on the people of My Lai, killing 200 people. Caused the US to question its support of the war, causing riots back home. -
Rolling Thunder Ends
After 3 1/2 years Operation Rolling Thunder finally comes to an end. The Operation was a failure, and ended with 800+ American pilots dead or missing. -
Nixon Takes Office
Richard M. Nixon takes the oath and is sworn in as the 37th president of the United States. Vows to achieve 'peace with honor' in Vietnam. -
Operation Menu
Authorized by President Nixon, permits the bombing of North Vietnamese and Vietcong bases, but is restricted to those within Cambodia. -
Returning Troops
All but 133,000 US troops have returned home. Ground war is now almost entirely in the hands of South Vietnam. -
Break Down In Peace Talks
Fighting between North & South Vietnam continues in numerous battles, leading to a break down in the peace talks between the two. -
Peace Talks Resume
A new bombing campaign against North Vietnam leads peace talks to resume. -
Cease Fire
All parties that were involved in the Vietnam War sign a cease fire. -
Nixon Resigns
President Nixon resigns due to his loss in support from congress because of the Watergate scandal, and leaves South Vietnam without its strongest advocate. -
Last Casualties for the U.S. and Final Evac
At 4:03am two US marines are killed in a rocket attack against Saigon's Tan Son Nhut Airport. These are the final two American casualties in Vietnam. At dawn that day the last of the Marines lift off and return home. Only hours later, the war finally ends.