Vietnam War-Important Dates By kenzie10z Apr 24, 1955 U.S Supports Diem Jul 8, 1959 First American Deaths May 1, 1961 Johnson Visits South Vietnam Dec 22, 1961 First U.S. combat death Nov 1, 1963 Kennedy Assassinated Aug 2, 1964 USS Maddox Aug 2, 1964 USS Maddox Aug 7, 1964 Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Mar 2, 1965 Operation Rolling Thunder Jan 31, 1968 Tet Offensive Mar 16, 1968 My Lai Nov 6, 1968 Nixon Elected President Jun 1, 1969 Vietnamization Jun 17, 1972 Watergate Jan 27, 1973 Vietnam Ceasefire signed Mar 29, 1973 Vietnam War over for U.S. Aug 9, 1974 Nixon Resigns Apr 30, 1975 Saigon Falls-War over in Vietnam