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Dien Bien Phu
Vietnamese forces occupy the French command post at Dien Bien Phu . The Vietnamese victory shattered France's resolve to carry on the war -
Creation of the Ho Chi Minh Trail
A specialized North Vietnamese Army unit is formed to create a supply route from North Vietnam to Vietcong forces in South Vietnam. -
US Becomes More Actively Involved
President John F. Kennedy orders more help for the South Vietnamese government in its war against the Vietcong guerrillas -
Operation Ranchland
The goal of Ranchhand is to clear vegetation alongside highways, making it more difficult for the Vietcong to conceal themselves for ambushes. -
Gulf of Tonkin Attack
The captain of the U.S.S. Maddox reports that his vessel has been fired on and that an attack is imminent -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
The U.S. congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving President Johnson the power to take whatever actions he sees necessary to defend southeast Asia. -
Rolling Thunder Begins
A limited but long lasting bombing offensive. Its aim is to force North Vietnam to stop supporting Vietcong guerrillas in the South.
Lasted until Nov. 1, 1968 -
US Offers Peace for Economic AId Proposal/President Johnson Commits Over 60,00 Troops to Vietnam
The offer is rejected. Two weeks later, Johnson raises to more than 60,000 troops in Vietnam. -
First Major Battle of Vietnam War for American Units
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Operation Junction City
A massive ar search and destroy operation, -
Khe Sanh Attacked by Vietcong
A shattering barrage of shells, mortars and rockets slam into the Marine base at Khe Sanh -
TET Offensive Begins
On the Tet holiday, Vietcong units surge into action over the length and breadth of South Vietnam -
My Lai Massacre
In the hamlet of My Lai, U.S. Charlie Company kills about two hundred civilians. -
Nixon Takes Office
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Operations Menu
The bombing of North Vietnamese and Vietcong bases within Cambodia. -
All But 133,000 US Troops Have Come Home
The ground war is now almost exclusively the responsibility of South Vietnam -
Peace Talks Break Down
In Paris, peace talks between the North Vietnamese and the Americans breakdown. -
Peace Talks Resume
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Cease Fire Signed
All warring parties in the Vietnam War sign a cease fire -
Nixon Resigns
President Richard M. Nixon resigns, leaving South Vietnam without its strongest advocate -
Last Casualties for the US and Final Evacuation