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End of the First Indochina War
The Geneva Accords were signed in Geneva, Switzerland, freeing Vietnam from French rule and seperating Vietnam into North and South Vietnam. -
The Viet Cong Organize in South Vietnam
The Viet Cong organize in South Vietnam as insurgents against president Diem. The hide and attack around the Mekong Delta using guerrilla tactics. -
John F. Kennedy Becomes President
John F. Kennedy was sworn in as president. He gave more financial and military support to President Diem to wipe out the Viet Cong. -
First Helicopers given to Vietnam
South Vietnamese aviation grows rapidly as the U.S. brrings in the UH-1 Huey. This helicopter plays major roles in battles to come. -
ARVN is defeated by the VIet Cong at Ap Bac
The South Vietnamese Army (ARVN) is defeated by the Viet Cong in the Village of Ap Bac in the Mekong Delta. This couses the Viet Cong to become more confident and increase in numbers in their revolution. -
President Diem is kidnapped and murdered
With American encouragement, a group of rebels (not the Viet Cong) kidnap and assasinate President Diem. -
MACV takes control of military advisors in Vietnam
The U.S. Military Assistance Command in Vietnam takes conrol of all military advisors and support units in Vietnam. -
U.S. Navy ship is attacked in th Gulf of Tonkin
North Vietnamese patrol boats attack Navy ships surveying coastal defenses in the Gulf of Tonkin. -
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution is passed.
The Gulf of Tonkin resolution is passed allowing U.S. troops to engage in comabat against North Vietnam. This was basically a declaration of war, but not quite one, so the Vietnam war wasn't officially a war. -
The North Vietnamese bomb U.S. quarters in Qui Nhon
Aa few days after the attack at Pleiku, the North Vietnamese bomb American quarters in Qui Nohn. Because of this, the American Air Force immediately bombed military and industrial targets in North Vietnam. -
North Vietnamese attack American soldiers at Pleiku.
The North Vitnamese Army attacks U.S. troops in a compound at Pleiku. -
Operation Rolling Thunder is approved
Lyndon B. Johnson approves Operation Rolling Thunder, a series of sustained airstrikes lasting for three years. Over one million tons of bombs were dropped on North Vietnam. -
U.S. Marines are stationed at Da Nang
A few days after the beginnig of Operation Rolling Thunder (March Second), U.S. Marines are sent to Da Nang to protect the air field as a purely defensive mission. Later their orders are changed to offensive attacks around their compound. -
The first airstrike of Operation Rolling Thunder is launched.
The first airstrike of Operation Rolling Thunder is launched. Over one million tons of bombs were dropped during Operation Rolling Thunder. -
The first Army unit is stationed in Vietnam.
The 173rd Airborne Brigade is stationed in Vietnam. By this time, the U.S. military forces numbered above 50,000. -
U.S. troops are sent to the Dominican Republic
Troops are sent to the Domincan Republic, temporarily halting U.S. plans for build up of American forces. -
President Johnson sends more troops to Vietnam
President Johnson calls for more than 175,000 troops to be in Vietnam by the end of the year. -
The first battle of the Ia Drang Valley
Units of the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division’s 3d Brigade, which took over from the 1st Brigade, fought against two regiments of Viet Cong soldiers. The Viet Kong lost around 600 soldiers. The Americans lost 79. -
the second battle of the Ia Drang Valley
The Viet Cong ambushed the Second Battalion and Seventh Cavalry of U.S. soldiers. Almost 70% of Americans were killed or wounded, but it was considered on of the first major American victories of the war. -
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Minor battles
Minor battles were fought to defend the South Vietnamese capital of Siagon. Other battles were fought to flush ou the Viet Cong in South Vietnam and to keep more reinfocements from arriving. -
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North Vietnamese troops harras American soldiers at Dak To
North Vietnamese troops send nuisance raids and small attacks against troops at Dak To. These attacks get progressively stronger -
North Vietnames attach Dak To
Two North Vietnamese attacks on Dak To end in the destruction of two C-130's and a lot of ammunition. -
American Soldiers win the Battle of Dak To
American soldiers finally gain control of hill 875, winning the grueling battle of Dak To. Around 1600 North Vietnamese were killed. 191 Americans were killed, 642 were wounded, and 15 were MIA. This was the worst fighting since the battleo of Ia Drang. -
The North Vietnamese launch the Tet offensive.
The North Vietnamese launch a series of simultaneous attacks against South Vietnamese forces and both urban and rural areas in South Vietnam. They were trying to lower the morall of the South Vietnamese. Trought the month of Februaruy the battles raged affecting towns over almost all of South Vietnam. -
Massacre at My Lai
American soldiers killed over 200 civilians in the village of My Lai. -
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Battles for th Central Highlands.
Special forces groups attacked North Vietnamese bases in the Central Highlands. Other units protected towns in the area and destroyed communist bases and traps in the Centeral Highlands. -
The battle for "Hamburger Hill"
A battallion of the 101st Airborne Division attacks north Vietnamese forces at "Hamburger Hill", that were entrenched with bunkers and heavy machin gun fire. The victory was a costly one with no real relevance because the hill had no tactical advantage. -
Battles around Tay Ninh City
Battles were fought for Tay Ninh City and American bases around the area. There were heavy North Vietnamese casualties, and relatively few American ones. -
Operation Lam Son 719 is begun
U.S. and South Vietnamese troops and armored units invade Laos to cut off the Ho Chi Minh Trail. North Vietnamese troops and tanks oppose the invasion. -
5th Special Forces Group leaves Vietnam
The main unit of special forces, 5th Special forces Group, leaves Vietnam. -
The invasion of Laos fails.
The invasion of Laos fails and South Vietnamese President Thieu has all troops withdrawn. -
The U.S. leaves Vietnam
The U.S. finally ends it's war in Vietnam. 58,000 people in the military were killed. 300,000 were wounded. Almost 1,900 soldiers were MIA. -
The fall of Saigon
The South Vietnamese capital of Saigon falls to the North Vietnamese. The U.S. leaves Vietnam.