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U.S. Recognizes the State of Vietnam
After China and the Societ Union recognize Ho Chi Minh's communist Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the U.S. recognizes Bao Dai's State of Vietnam (Later the Repubic of Vietnam) and supply the French, who currently still control the Republc of Vietnam, with $15 million dollars in military aid. -
French surrender to the Viet Minh at Dien Bien Phu
55 days after the battle first began on March 13th, the French call for a cease fire and the Geneva Conference begins. -
Vietnam Divided at Geneva Conference
The Geneva Accords, signed by Ho Chi Minh and France, but not by South Vietnam or the U.S., propose to divide Vietnam at the 17th parallel until elections in 1956. All countries agree to bide by the agreement. Nearly 850,000 North Vietnamese residents move South, and some 80,000 South Vieamese move North to support the Viet Minh. -
Viet Cong Established
The People's Liberation Armed Forces, more commonly known as the Viet Cong, was established by the Northern Vietnamese government in order to escalate the struggle in the South. They used guerrilla warfare tactics, dressing as common peasents and attacking without warning. They were a crucial part of the Nothern VIetnamese offensive. -
First U.S. death by combat
Army Security Agency soldier, SP4 James T. Davis, is killed in an ambush leading a squad direction finding Viet Cong radio transmitters. Often referred to as the first American death by combat, however there were actually 15 deaths before his. Still a pivotal moment for the U.S. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
USS Maddox is reportedly attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin by the Northern Vietnamese, and another sea battle is reported to haappen two days later. The second incident never truly occured, but because of these two incidents, President Lyndon B. Johnson convinces Congress to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which grants him the authority to assist any Southeast Asian country whose government is considered to be threatened by "communist aggression" -
Operation Rolling Thunder
An aerial bombardment campaign lasting until November 2nd, 1965, is put into motion by the U.S. and South Vietnam in order to boost Siagon morale, dissuade Northern Vietnamese from supporting communist insurgency in the South, destroy Northern Vietnam's transportation and air defence, and to halt the entrance of men and supplies into Southern Vietnam. -
Battle of Ia Drang Valley
First major battle between the regular armies of the U.S. and Northern Vietnamese, taking place near Plei Me in Southern Vietnam. The Northern Vietnamese eventually overrun the U.S. line, making it the most successful ambush against U.S. forces during the course of the entire war. -
Battle of Khe Sahn
Forces from the People’s Army of North Vietnam carry out a massive artillery bombardment on the U.S. at Khe Sanh, located in northwest South Vietnam. U.S. Marines and the South Vietnamese fight off an intense siege for 77 days, making it one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War. -
Launch of the Tet Offensive
A campaign of suprise attacks launches by the Northern Vietnamese and the Viet Cong against South Vietnam and U.S. military and civilian commands and control centers. More than 80,000 Northern Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops strike over 100 cities and towns. The attcks last for about a month, and although North Vietnam is defeated, the U.S. and South Vietnam suffer heavily. -
Vietnamization
Due to the Tet Offensive, The Richard Nixon administration enacts a policy called Vietnamization to end U.S. involvement in the war by "expanding, equiping, and training South Vietnam's forces and assigning to them an ever-increasing combat role, at the same time steadily reducing the number of U.S. combat troops". -
Kent State Shootings
Unrest in the U.S. over the involvement in the Vietnam War leads to a protest of the Cambodian Campaign at Kent State University. When the protestors get out of hand, the Ohio National Guard is called in, who subsequently shoot 13 unarmed people, killing 4. -
Signing of the Paris Peace Accords
The Paris Peace Accords are signed by North Vietnam, South Vietnam, the U.S., and the Provisional Revolutionary Government. These accords are ment to establish peace in Vietnam, and end the Vietnam War. Due to this agreement, direct U.S. military involvement ends and the fighting between North and South Vietnam temporarily stops. -
Last American troops leave
The last U.S. troops leave Vietnam two months after ther signing of the peace agreement, completely ending direct military involvment in the Vietnam War. -
The Fall of Siagon
Saigon, the capitol of South Vietnam, is taken by the People’s Army of Vietnam and the Viet Cong. This marks the true end of the Vietnam War, and the begining of the reunification of Vietnam into a socialist republic, governed by The Communist Party of Vietnam.
