Vietnam War – 1954-1980

Vietnam Victory - Battle of Dien Bien Phu

May 7, 1954

The Battle of Dien Bien Phu lasted for fifty five days and ended with the Viet Minh victory. The French were defeated thus ending French involvement with Vietnam. Brigham, R., & Hoffman, E. (n.d.). Battlefield:Vietnam. Retrieved July 13, 2015, from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/index.html

The Geneva Accords

Jul 21, 1954

Vietnam is split into North and South at the 17th parallel per the Geneva Accords. The U.S. supports Non-Communist South Vietnam. Rosenberg, J. (n.d.). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved July 13, 2015, from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm

Ngo Dihn Diem as President

Oct 26, 1955

Ngo Dihn Diem becomes President of South Vietnam. South Vietnam also becomes the Republic of Vietnam. Rosenberg, J. (n.d.). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved July 13, 2015, from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm

President Kennedy Demands for More Support

Nov 26, 1961

President Kennedy demands more support for South Vietnams government and the war against the Vietcong guerrillas. Brigham, R., & Hoffman, E. (n.d.). Battlefield:Vietnam. Retrieved July 13, 2015, from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/index.html

American Helicopters Arrive

Dec 11, 1961

United States helicopters and 400 U.S. soldiers arrive in South Vietnam. Brigham, R., & Hoffman, E. (n.d.). Battlefield:Vietnam. Retrieved July 13, 2015, from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/index.html

Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem is Overthrown

Nov 2, 1963

Ngo Dinh Diem, the South Vietnamese president, was overthrown and killed during a coup. Rosenberg, J. (n.d.). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved July 13, 2015, from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm

Gulf of Tonkin Incident

Aug 2, 1964

The North Vietnamese attacked two United States destroyers sitting in the waters along the North Vietnam coast. Rosenberg, J. (n.d.). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved July 13, 2015, from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm

Congress Passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Aug 7, 1964

The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution is passed by the United States Congress. This gave President Johnson the opportunity defend Southeast Asia in any way he thought was necessary. Brigham, R., & Hoffman, E. (n.d.). Battlefield:Vietnam. Retrieved July 13, 2015, from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/index.html

Operation Rolling Thunder

Feb 13, 1965

Operation Rolling Thunder is set by President Johnson. Operation Rolling Thunder was aimed to stop North Vietnam from supporting the Vietcong guerrillas in South Vietnam. Brigham, R., & Hoffman, E. (n.d.). Battlefield:Vietnam. Retrieved July 13, 2015, from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/index.html

Operation Hastings

May 31, 1966

The North Vietnamese enter the Demilitarized Zone and the biggest battle of the war breaks out. Operation Hastings then moved the North Vietnamese back over the Demilitarized Zone. Brigham, R., & Hoffman, E. (n.d.). Battlefield:Vietnam. Retrieved July 13, 2015, from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/index.html

Operation Junction City

Feb 21, 1967

The 72 day long "Operation Junction City" took place to rid of the Vietcong military bases and headquarters. The U.S. troops succeeded. Brigham, R., & Hoffman, E. (n.d.). Battlefield:Vietnam. Retrieved July 13, 2015, from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/index.html

The Tet Offensive

Jan 30, 1968

The Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese unite and begin the Tet Offensive. They attack around 100 South Vietnamese cities. Rosenberg, J. (n.d.). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved July 13, 2015, from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm

President Nixon Orders Troop Withdrawals

Jun 8, 1969

President Nixon meets with President Nguyen Van Thieu, of South Vietnam, to order the withdrawal of 25,000 United States troops from the war. Brigham, R., & Hoffman, E. (n.d.). Battlefield:Vietnam. Retrieved July 13, 2015, from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/index.html

Announcemnet on Attacking Cambodia

Apr 30, 1970

President Nixon declares that American troops will attack enemy sites in Cambodia. This started many protests in America. Rosenberg, J. (n.d.). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved July 13, 2015, from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm

Paris Peace Accords are Signed

Jan 27, 1973

The Paris Peace Accords are signed and the Vietnam cease-fire commences. Rosenberg, J. (n.d.). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved July 13, 2015, from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm

U.S. Troops Leave South Vietnam

Mar 29, 1973

The last of the U.S. troops leave South Vietnam. The war is officially over for the United States. Brigham, R., & Hoffman, E. (n.d.). Battlefield:Vietnam. Retrieved July 13, 2015, from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/index.html

South Vietnam Surrenders

Apr 30, 1975

The South Vietnamese surrender to the North Vietnamese and the war between the South and the North is officially over. Rosenberg, J. (n.d.). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved July 13, 2015, from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm

Vietnam Officially Becomes Communist

Jul 2, 1976

Vietnam becomes a communist country and is united. Rosenberg, J. (n.d.). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved July 13, 2015, from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm