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Vietnamese forces occupy the French command post at Dien Bien Phu . The Vietnamese victory shattered France's resolve to carry on the war
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A specialized North Vietnamese Army unit is formed to create a supply route from North Vietnam to Vietcong forces in South Vietnam.
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President John F. Kennedy orders more help for the South Vietnamese government in its war against the Vietcong guerrillas
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The goal of Ranchhand is to clear vegetation alongside highways, making it more difficult for the Vietcong to conceal themselves for ambushes.
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The captain of the U.S.S. Maddox reports that his vessel has been fired on and that an attack is imminent
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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.
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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 -
The offer is rejected. Two weeks later, Johnson raises to more than 60,000 troops in Vietnam.
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A massive ar search and destroy operation,
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A shattering barrage of shells, mortars and rockets slam into the Marine base at Khe Sanh
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On the Tet holiday, Vietcong units surge into action over the length and breadth of South Vietnam
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In the hamlet of My Lai, U.S. Charlie Company kills about two hundred civilians.
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The bombing of North Vietnamese and Vietcong bases within Cambodia.
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The ground war is now almost exclusively the responsibility of South Vietnam
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In Paris, peace talks between the North Vietnamese and the Americans breakdown.
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All warring parties in the Vietnam War sign a cease fire
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President Richard M. Nixon resigns, leaving South Vietnam without its strongest advocate
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