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Rise of Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh's rise to power and the tensions froms the Cold War jumpstarted the conflict with North Vietnam. -
First American Death
Major Dale R. Buis was formally the first American casualty of the Vietnam War. Ambushed at Bien Hoa. -
Vietcong
On this date the Vietcong, or the National Liberation Front, officially formed. -
Battle of Ap Bac
In Dinh Tuong Province the Vietcong defeat the South Vietnam Army. -
Assassination of J.F.K.
President John F. Kennedy is assassinated and Lyndon B. Johnson takes his place as President. -
Troops on Ground
In 1965 the U.S. rapidly increased the number of soldiers in South Vietnam after realizing how badly South Vietnam was losing the war against North Vietnam. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
The U.S. began bombing North Vietnam in what was known as Operation Rolling Thunder. -
Battle of Ia Drang
Ia Drang was the first major battle between the U.S. and the PAVN. (People's Army of Vietnam) -
Massacre of My Lai Village
In 1968 the massacre of My Lai Village by U.S. Troops shocked the world. Between 350 and 500 unarmed Vietnamese citizens were killed. Considered "the most shocking episode of the Vietnam War." -
Tet Offensive
The NVA and the Vietcong launched what was known as the Tet Offensive. Not necessarily a combat victory, but the North Vietnamese considered it a Propaganda victory. -
Death of Ho Chi Minh
The President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam dies of Congestive Heart Failure. -
The Draft
On this date the Selected Service System of the U.S. had what they called a "loterry" to decide who would be called to serve in the military. Chosen from a pool of those individuals born between 1944-1950 -
Publication of the Pentagon Papers
Papers with evidence that the Pentagon and the Johnson administration had involvement in the Vietnam conflict extending back to 1945 are published publically. -
Pressure on Nixon rises
Pressure on President Nixon rises to end the conflict in Vietnam. Secret peace talks begin. -
Cease Fire
Cease-Fire is signed in Paris and immediately goes into effect. -
U.S. Troops Leave
U.S. Troops withdraw from Vietnam.
