-
The first American casualty in Vietnam was Peter Dewey. He was a lieutenant colonel who was mistakenly shot. Once he was killed, he was taken for a Frechman by the Viet Minh.
-
The United States President at the time, Harry Truman, extends military assistance in the battle against the communists in Indochina. This was the beginning of the United States Involvement in Vietnam.
-
The French are defeated in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu by the Viet Minh. This ended the French involvement in Vietnam.
-
The President at the time, Dwight Eisenhower sends the Military Assistance Advisory Group to help train in South Vietnam.
-
450,000 Vietnamese fled from the north to the south. They hoped to escape the Viet Minh administration who was ruling the north.
-
Loas is invaded by the Vietnamese.
-
President John F. Kennedy was elected as President. Eisenhower warns him about Vietnam and Laos.
-
President John F. Kennedy visits Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson. They decide to send United States Army Special Forces to assist with the training in South Vietnam soilders.
-
Fourteen nations including the United States, China, the Soviets and North and South Vietnam all sign an agreement. This agreement designated Laos as a neutral country.
-
President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas.
-
In South Vietnam, an United States air base is attacked by the Viet Cong. 100 Americans were injured and 8 died.
-
United States Marines arrive to protect Da Nang.
-
More than 200,000 soilders arrive in Vietnam.
-
Just after 1 year, more than 390,000 troops were stationed in Vietnam. During that period of time, 6,000 were killed and 30,000 were wounded.
-
President Nixon tells the American people over national television that American forces and South Vietnamese forces had invaded Cambodia.
-
600 Americans prisoners of war are released by the North Vietnamese.
-
President Nixon resigns as President of the United States because of the Watergate Scandal.
-
The capture of Saigon by the North Vietnamese Army marked the end of the war, and North and South Vietnam were reunified the following year.
