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Dien Bien Phu
Vietnamese military forces overtake the French military post at Dien Bien Phu through a 55 day battle -
Ho Chi Mihn trail created
Throughout 1959, a North Vietnamese military unti known as Group 559 creates a supply trail between North and South Vietnam known as the Ho Chi Minh trail that becomes crucial in the outcome of the Vietnam War. -
Kennedy asks for help
President Kennedy, in late 1961, asks Congress to allow for the US to provide more help to the South Vietnamese due to the growing tesnions and struggles in the area -
US Arrives in Vietnam
The first group of helicopters arrives in Vietnam, along with approximately 400 military personnel -
Operation Chopper
The US flies out several helicopters to begin the first US combat operations against the North Vietnamese -
Battle at AP Bac
In the battle at Ap Bac, the Vietcong have their morale boosted by a large victory over US troops. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution which makes violent intervention in Vietnam official. After years of escalation, the Vietnam War has officially begun. -
Operation Rolling Thunder Authorized
The US lauthorizes a massive bombing campaign on Vietnam called Operation Rolling Thunder. -
Operation Crimp
The largest operation of the war, Operation Crimp deploys neraly 8,000 American troops to secure specific areas of Vietcong territory, however they do not succeed. -
Tet Offensive
Disregarding the cease-fire of the Tet Holiday, Vietcong troops surge against unexpecting American soldiers, causing one of the most violent and widespread battles of the war, drastically decreasing American morale and support for the war -
My Lai Massacre
US Charlie Company massacres countless innocent women and children in the village of My Lai for no reason, dumping their bodies into a trench -
Rolling Thunder Ends
Finally, after over three years, Operation Rolling Thunder is called to and end, although the war would still rage on. -
Peace talks fail again
Again, after many attempts, peace talks between the US and North Vietnam fail, however attempts continue to be made. -
Official Cease Fire
After years of war and failed peace talks, all parties involved in the war sign a cease fire agreement. -
American Troops Leave
The last American combative troops leave the region, however, the adivsors and Marines remain in the region to protect US bases and property. -
South Vietnam falls
After heightened combat by the North Vietnamese after the US pull-out, nearly all of South Vietnam has fallen to North Vietnamese forces.