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The Vietnam War
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The Battle of Dien Bien Phu Begins
The first assult is launched on the French by the Viet Minh. This battle last for over 2 months, ending in the French surrendering. -
Troop Commitment
Vice President Nixon declares that, ""if to avoid further Communist expansion in Asia and Indochina we must take the risk now of putting our boys in, I think the Executive has to take the politically unpopular decision and do it." -
Division of Vietnam
The Geneva Accords are signed by the French and Ho Chi Minh. The document states that Vietnam is to be divided at the 17th parallel until elections can be held to unify the country in 1956. -
First American Deaths
In a raid at Bien Hoa, two military advisors are killed by guerilla soldiers. -
U.S. Increases Advisors in Vietnam
The number of advisors in South Vietnam is increased from 327 to 685 men, -
Presidential Election
President John F. Kennedy is elected into office. -
Failed Coup by South
President Diem defeats the coup by his own South Vietnamize government forces. -
Viet Cong and National Liberation Front Formed
The NFL is formed in in South Vietnam to destroy Diem's regime. The VC is also formed in North Vietnam at this time by ex guerilla soldiers from the South. -
First U.S. combat death
The first American serivce man is reported to have died in Vietnam. This event, for many Americans, marks the beginning of the Vietnam War. -
Military Assistance
The U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam replaces the MAAG. These military advisors are told to fire when fired upon, and by the end of 1962 their military presence will reach 11,000. -
Assassination Attempt
Two VC pilots bomb Diem's palace, but Diem escapes the assassination attempt. -
Buddhist Monk
A buddhist monk, Thich Quang Duc, sets himself on first to protest the South Vietnamese government. -
Protest March
Around 200,000 people march to Washington, D.C. to protest the Vietnam War. -
Cease Fire
South Vietnam, North Vietnam, and the United States sign a peace agreement in which a ceasefire is declared. The South Vietnam government agrees to hold free elections in the future, and the U.S. agrees to remove all combat troops. -
Vietnam War Ends
The last U.S. combat soldier leaves Vietnam, so for the U.S. the war is over. Over 3 million Americans fought in the war. Leaving nearly 60,000 dead, 150,000 wounded, and at least 1,000 missing in action. -
Nixon Resigns
Gerald Ford takes office after Nixon resigns due to the Watergate Scandal. -
The War Ends
The North Vietnam take Saigon, which ends the war in Vietnam
