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December, 1960
Viet Cong Emerge
An armed coalition of communists and insurgents emerged in South Vietnam. -
December, 1961
U.S. Buildup Begins
White Paper advises increased U.S. presence in Vietnam. -
February 14, 1962
U.S. Will Fire Back
Kennedy declares U.S. advisers in 'Nam will defend themselves. -
December 2, 1962
$2 Billion Wasted
Kennedy hears from Senate leader after Saigon trip to see the outcome of U.S. aid. -
November, 1963
U.S. Gets Tough
New in office, President Johnson pushes for stiffer policies on Vietnam. -
January 30, 1964
Coup in Saigon
South Vietnam military sets up third government in three months. -
April-June, 1964
U.S. Navy Arrives
After North Vietnam goes into Laos, U.S. moves 2 carriers offshore. -
August 2, 1964
Gulf of Tonkin
The USS Maddox is on a spy patrol 30 miles off the coast of Vietnam when it reports an attack by three enemy vessels. Another U.S. ship reports an attack on Aug 4. On Aug 7, Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, allowing the President. Johnson to wage war against North Vietnam without a formal Declaration of War. -
March 2, 1965
Operation "Rolling Thunder" Begins
Johnson approves Rolling Thunder in February, believing that a program of limited bombing in North Vietnam will deter support for the Viet Cong. Rolling Thunder continues for three years and eight months, involving 305,380 raids and 634,000 tons of bombs. Results include: 818 pilots killed and hundreds more captured; 182,000 civilians killed in North Vietnam. -
March 24, 1965
First Anti-Vietnam War Teach-In
Anti-war faculty members and the SDS publicize and protest U.S. involvement in Vietnam. About 3,000 attend.