Vietnam War By lyoakum6 May 4, 1963 President Kennedy get's assasinated and Vice President Johnson takes over presidency. Period: May 4, 1963 to May 4, 1964 Vietnam War Feb 4, 1965 Bombing raids on North Vietnam, referred to as 'Operation Rolling Thunder', begin. The air raids continue for three years. May 4, 1965 Over 200,000 United States Soldiers are sent to Vietnam May 4, 1968 President Johnson does not run for re-election and Richard Nixon is elected President. May 4, 1969 Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh dies. Apr 4, 1970 President Nixon extends Vietnam War to Cambodia May 4, 1970 National Guardsmen open fire on protesting students at Kent State University in Ohio. May 4, 1972 Pressure on President Nixon increases to end the United State's involvement in Vietnam and secret peace talks are started. May 4, 1973 Paris signs a cease-fire agreement. May 4, 1973 United State's troops that remain leave Vietnam and the Vietnam War ends.