The Vietnam War Unit Timeline By cernekas000 1945 Creation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam 1945 1954 Battle of Dien Bien Phu 1954 1954 Creation of the 17th parallel between North and South Vietnam 1954 Creation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam 1954 Battle of Dien Bien Phu Dec 20, 1960 Establishment of the National Liberation Front Aug 7, 1964 Gulf of Tonkin Incident and Resolution Mar 2, 1965 Operation Rolling Thunder Mar 8, 1965 US combat troops arrive in Vietnam 1968 Tet Offensive Mar 16, 1968 My Lai Massacre Aug 26, 1968 1968 Democratic National Convention Aug 26, 1968 1968 Democratic National Convention Nov 5, 1968 1968 Presidential Election May 4, 1970 Kent State University Protest