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President Truman sends 35-man military advisory group to aid French fighting to maintain colonial power in Vietnam.
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President Truman sends 35-man military advisory group to aid French fighting to maintain colonial power in Vietnam.
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U.S. military advisers in South Vietnam rise from 900 to 15,000.
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Ngo Dinh Diem, South Vietnam's premier, slain in coup (Nov. 1).
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North Vietnamese torpedo boats reportedly attack U.S. destroyers in Gulf of Tonkin (Aug. 2). President Johnson orders retaliatory air strikes. Congress approves Gulf of Tonkin resolution (Aug. 7) authorizing president to take “all necessary measures” to win in Vietnam, allowing for the war's expansion.
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U.S. planes begin combat missions over South Vietnam. In June, 23,000 American advisers committed to combat. By end of year over 184,000 U.S. troops in area.
