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French Surrendered
Vietnamese forces occupy the French command post at Dien Bien Phu and the French commander orders his troops to cease fire. The battle had lasted 55 days. The Vietnamese victory shattered France's resolve to carry on the war. -
Period: to
The Vietnam War
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Vietnam Divided
Geneva accords was signed for peaceful withdrawal of French troops from Vietnam. North and South Vietnam temporarily separated. -
Ngo Dinh Diem names himself President of Vietnam
United States recognizes Diem regime and consents to train Diem's army. -
Ho Chi Minh Land Reforms
Mass exodus from North to South Vietnam because of unfair Land Reforms. -
First American Deaths Reported
Two American military advisers were killed by Viet Minh Guerillas. First non-combat deaths in Vietnam. -
Number of U.S. Advisers increase
Number of Advisers increased from 327 to 685 men. -
Kennedy Elected President of United States
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Vice President Johnson visits South Vietnam
Vice President Johnson offers military and economic support to Diem. -
First U.S. Combat Death Reported
For many Americans, this marked the beginning of the Vietnam War. -
Diem Overthrown
With the U.S.'s consent, Minh overthrew the Diem Regime. 15,000 US military advisors were in South Vietnam in 1963. -
Kennedy Assassinated
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Gulf of Tonkin
North Vietnamese boats attack U.S. Destroyers. -
U.S. Retaliates
President Johnson orders retaliatory strikes. The U.S. jets bomed to North Vietnamese naval bases. The captain later corrected that there were no initial attacks on the US Destroyers. -
Viet Cong attacks U.S. Air Force base in South Vietnam
First major conventional clash between Viet Cong and the U.S. -
Operation Rolling Thunder Began
An Aerial bombardment camplaign againt North Vietnam. It continued for more than 3 years. By the end of 1965, the number of US troops exceeded 200,000. -
Search and Destroy Missions Began
Search and Destroy strategy deployed under the command of General Westmoreland. -
American Troops in 1966
US Troops stationed in Vietnam reached 389,000 byt the end of 1966. More than 6000 men had been killed and 30000 wounded. Mass Demonstration against the war in Vietman took place in the United States. -
Vet Cong Attacks
US lost 2500 soldiers. General Westmoreland requests more troops and public support for the war diminished tremendously. -
My Lai Massacre
U.S. Soldier massacred 347 Vietnamese civilians. -
Preliminary Peace Talks Begin
North Vietnam and the US agreed to begin peace talks on May 10 in Paris. -
Peace talks begin in Paris
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Operation Linebacker Began
President Nixon orders massive bombing in North Vietnam to keep them on the negotiating table. -
Paris Peace Accord Signed
North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and the US signed the accord and ceasefire was establshed immediately and the US agreed to withdraw. Nearly 600 POW's were released in March. -
American involvement in Vietman Ended
Nearly 60,000 men were dead, 150,000 wounded, and 1,000 were missing among 3 million Americans that served in the war. -
Saigon and South Vietnam Fell
Last to US men were killed in their evacuation mission. -
