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Gulf of Tonkin Incident, Pt. 1
While operating an illegal surveillance patrol in North Vietnamese waters, the USS Maddox is fired upon by three North Vietnamese torpedo boats. While the Johnson Administration does not issue any statement or order any military response, the facts of this event will be omitted in order to garner public support in the US. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident, Pt. 2
US Navy sonarmen erroneously report that the USS Maddox and Turner Joy were being torpedoed by multiple enemy ships. The incident becomes the pretext for an American military response, even though no North Vietnamese attack ever happened. -
LBJ's Tonkin Gulf TV Address
In response to alleged unprovoked attacks on US naval vessels in international waters, LBJ informs the American people of his intention to ask Congress for authority to wage war in Southeast Asia. LBJ's motive was to appear tough on communism in the lead up to the 1964 presidential election. -
Tonkin Gulf Resolution
In response to alleged unprovoked North Vietnamese attacks in the Gulf of Tonkin, LBJ asks Congress for unlimited presidential authority to wage war in Southeast Asia. The North Vietnamese interpret this act as a declaration of war. Only two US senators voted against the resolution. -
Operation Flaming Dart Begins
In retaliation for a Viet Cong bombing of Camp Halloway near Pleiku, LBJ orders same-day bombing strikes of North Vietnamese targets. Following another VC bombing attack against U.S. personnel, LBJ orders another round of bombing operations against the North. This operation set the stage for a more sustained bombing campaign in Operation Rolling Thunder. -
Operation Rolling Thunder Begins
LBJ orders the strategic bombing campaign of North Vietnam to commence. It is the Americans' hope that sustained aerial bombing of targets in the North will destroy the communists' capability and will to fight. The operation achieved neither, instead necessitating ground troops to protect airbases in the South. -
U.S. Marines Land at Da Nang
3,500 U.S. Marines wade ashore and land at the Da Nang airbase in order to provide ground defense for it. The U.S. embassy asked the South Vietnamese government to "invite" the Marines to arrive in country for defensive purposes and Gen. Thieu approved. This is the first major U.S. military units deployed to South Vietnam intended for direct combat with the Viet Cong and NVA. -
LBJ Announces Draft Increase
In order to meet the manpower demands of General Westmoreland, President Johnson increases the troop ceiling in South Vietnam from 75,000 to 125,000 men. He also raises the monthly draft quota from 17,000 to 35,000 men in order to meet the overall troop requirement in Vietnam. -
Operation Starlite Begins
The first major combat action carried out by an all-American force, Starlite was an attempt to destroy Viet Cong near Van Tuong. The outcome of the battle resulted in 614 VC KIA and 42 U.S. KIA, helping to convince the American military of the value of measuring success in enemy body counts. -
Battle of Ia Drang Begins
US forces engage the NVA for the first time on a major search-and-destroy mission. Despite the Americans being outnumbered 8-to-1, their artillery and air support enable them to achieve victory. Because the mission objective was to kill the enemy and there had been such a high kill-death ratio, Army command determines that the progress of the war will be measured in body count. -
Operation Crimp Begins
A joint U.S./Australian ground operation to seek out and destroy a major Viet Cong base near Cu Chi. The Allied mission was bogged down by heavy fighting and only uncovered a massive underground tunnel network used by the VC. Because the operation failed to locate and destroy the VC base, further larger ground missions proved necessary.
