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After fending off the Japanese post-WWII, Vietnam declares independence under the rule of communist-trained Ho Chi Minh. Despite Vietnam's communist ties, the U.S. government backs the newly independent Vietnam.
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The U.S., being an ally of the French, needed assistance from the French in the wake of the Cold War. The French took advantage, so in order for the French to have involvement in Europe, the U.S. had to back the French in their war against Vietnam for the French to regain control. The U.S., although originally backing Vietnamese independence, proceeded to bankroll the French against Vietnam in 1950. Despite this, however, the Vietnamese score a victory over the French at Dien Bien Phu.
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According to the Geneva Conference, Vietnam splits into North and South Vietnam. North Vietnam is ruled by communist Ho Chi Minh while South Vietnam is under the rule of pro-American Ngo Dinh Diem. Elections take place in 1956 to reunite the country, but Diem refuses, and the U.S. mistakenly backs this refusal.
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John F. Kennedy continues to pump more money, troops and advisors to South Vietnam in war against the Vietcong guerrillas. Buddhists under Diem regime are persecuted, so as a political statement, they begin to set themselves on fire.
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U.S. pilots send South Vietnamese troops to maintain a stronghold in Saigon. This is the first time the U.S. actively participates in military combat against the Vietcong.
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Vietcong stand ground against the U.S., ambushes the South Vietnamese Army's 7th division, and U.S. helicopters are riddled with Vietcong gunfire. This marks the first major victory for the Vietcong.
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The South Vietnamese government is overthrown with the approval of John F. Kennedy. Diem is given safety agreement if he agrees to resign, but Diem refuses. Ngo Dinh Diem is later assassinated.
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John F. Kennedy is assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald while on a trip to Austin, Texas. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson takes the Presidential Oath and is sworn in as 36th President of the U.S. that same afternoon.
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An attack on a U.S.S. Maddox vessel is reported. President Johnson takes immediate action and orders retaliation against North Vietnam.
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U.S. Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, thereby granting President Lyndon B. Johnson full control and decision-making power to take whatever measure deemed necessary for defense of southeast Asia. U.S. starts bombing Vietnam and using Agent Orange in combat.
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Vietcong propels attacks on South Vietnam, killing hundreds of South Vietnamese troops and 5 American advisors. Vietcong gains temporary control of Binh Gia.
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President Richard Nixon is sworn in as 37th President of the United States and promises to accomplish "Peace with Honor" with Vietnam by withdrawing 500,000 U.S. troops from Vietnam. This, according to his promise, would, however, still allow room for South Vietnam to survive.
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President Nixon confers with President Thieu of South Vietnam. Nixon announces withdrawal of 25,000 troops from Vietnam. Vietnam War expands hitting Laos and Cambodia.
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The U.S. and North Vietnam continue with their talks over peace and eventually have the Vietcong, South Vietnam, North Vietnam, and the U.S. themselves sign the cease fire agreement.
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Two U.S. Marines are killed in an attack in an airport in Saigon. The remainder of the U.S. Marines guarding the U.S. embassy are flown back. North Vietnamese tanks roll into Saigon to mark the end of the Vietnam war
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