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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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1960–1963
U.S. military advisers in South Vietnam rise from 900 to 15,000. -
1965
U.S. planes begin combat missions over South Vietnam. -
1968
U.S. has almost 525,000 men in Vietnam. -
1972
Nixon responds to North Vietnamese drive across DMZ by ordering mining of North Vietnam ports and heavy bombing of Hanoi-Haiphong area (April 1). -
President orders halt to offensive operations in North Vietnam