US Escalation in Vietnam Timeline By Anthony Lazzari Aug 2, 1963 The Gulf of Tonkin incident Jul 7, 1964 the signing of the Gulf of Tonkin resolution Aug 2, 1964 three North Vietnamese torpedo boats approached and fired on the USS Maddox. Aug 7, 1964 Gulf of Tonkin resolution The Gulf of Tonkin resolution started the escalation of the war. Nov 22, 2024 JFK assasination JFKś assassination caused Johnson to become president and caused the USA to stay longer in the war than JFK wanted to.