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Battle of Dien Bien Phu
The battle lasted 55 days. Three thousand French troops were killed, 8,000 wounded. The Viet Minh suffered much worse, with 8,000 dead and 12,000 wounded, but the Vietnamese victory shattered France to carry on the war. -
Ho Chi Minh Trail
A specialized North Vietnamese Army unit, Group 559, is formed to create a supply route from North Vietnam to Vietcong forces in South Vietnam.This eventually becomes known as the Ho Chi Minh Trail. -
President John F. Kennedy Orders Help
President John F. Kennedy orders more help for the South Vietnamese government in its war against the Vietcong. U.S. had more than 3,000 military advisors and support personnel. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
The U.S. congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving President Johnson the power to take whatever actions he sees necessary to defend southeast Asia. -
Bien Hoa Air Base
Two days before the U.S. presidential election, Vietcong attack Bien Hoa Air Base near Saigon. Four Americans are killed, 76 wounded. -
Qui Nonh Attack
A Vietcong-placed bomb explodes in a hotel in Qui Nonh, killing 23 American servicemen. -
Vietcong Troops Attack Song Be
Two and a half thousand Vietcong troops attack Song Be, a South Vietnamese provincial capital. After two days of fierce battles in and around the town, the Vietcong withdraw. -
Operation Crimp
Deploying nearly 8,000 troops, it is the largest American operation of the war. The goal of the campaign is to capture the Vietcong's headquarters for the Saigon area. American forces fail to locate any significant Vietcong base. -
Operation Attleboro
The U.S. 196th Brigade and 22,000 South Vietnamese troops begin aggressive search and destroy sweeps through Tay Ninh Province. The mission ends after six weeks, with more than 1,000 Vietcong and 150 Americans killed. -
Junction City
The goal of Junction City is to destroy Vietcong bases and the Vietcong military headquarters for South Vietnam. After 72 days, Junction City ends. American forces succeed in capturing large quantities of stores, equipment and weapons, but there are no large battles. -
Vietcong Artillery
Shots are fired at marine base at Khe Sanh. Eighteen Marines are killed instantly, 40 are wounded. The initial attack continues for two days. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
After three-and-a-half years, Operation Rolling Thunder comes to an end. In total, the operation had cost more than 900 American aircraft. Eight hundred and eighteen pilots are dead or missing, and hundreds are in captivity. Nearly 120 Vietnamese planes have been destroyed in air combat or accidents. According to U.S. estimates, 182,000 North Vietnamese civilians have been killed. -
Richard Nixon takes Office
President Richard M. Nixon takes office as the new President of the United States. Regarding Vietnam, he promises to achieve "Peace With Honor." He aimed to negotiate a settlement that will allow the half million U.S. troops in Vietnam to be withdrawn, while still allowing South Vietnam to survive. -
Operation Linebacker
By order of the president, a new bombing campaign starts against the North Vietnamese. Operation Linebacker Two lasts for 12 days, including a three day bombing period. -
Peace Talks
North Vietnam and the United States resume peace talks in Paris. -
Soldiers leave South Vietnam
The last American combat soldiers leave South Vietnam, though military advisors and Marines, who are protecting U.S. installations, remain. For the United States, the war is officially over.
