CHRONOLOGY

U.S. Involvement in Vietnam

 

1845
   USS Constitution puts into DaNang
U.S. Marines land to halt killing of Catholic Bishop
1864
   U.S. Frigate chases Pirate ship into harbor at DaNang
           Sink Pirate ship, but lose one sailor
1942
   First Flying Tiger casualty, shot down by Japanese anti-aircraft fire over Hanoi
1945
U.S. supplies arms to Viet-Minh guerrillas to fight Japanese
1947
Truman Doctrine promises economic aid to any nation threatened by Communism
1950
President Truman provided $10 million in U.S. aid to French Military in Indochina.
M.A.A.G. (Military Assistance Advisory Group)established in Saigon.
35 U.S. sent to Vietnam.
1952
U.S. supplying one third cost of war in Indochina.
1954
Geneva Convention in Indochina.
President Eisenhower pledges aid to South Vietnam.
1961
President Kennedy increases number of U.S. Advisors to South Vietnam.
1964
U.S. and North Viet-Nam forces clash in Gulf of Tonkin.
Congress grants President Johnson authority to
"Take all necessary steps to repel armed attacks against the forces of the U.S.
and to prevent further aggression."
(Gulf of Tonkin Resolution)
1965
U.S. initiates bombing of North Vietnam.
(Operation Rolling Thunder)
First American ground combat troops arrive.
1968
Tet Offensive.
Johnson orders halt to bombing, providing basis for negotiations.
1969
Paris Peace Talks begin in earnest. President Nixon calls for "Vietnamization" of the war,
orders staged withdrawal of American Troops.
1970
U.S. Troops enter Cambodia to destroy NVA supply bases.
1971
Secret peace negotiations with North Viet-Nam begun by Presidential Advisor Henry Kissinger.
ARVN Troops with U.S. support enter Laos to destroy North Vietnamese supply bases.
1972
NVA make surprise offensive all over South Viet-Nam in April.
Last of U.S. Combat troops leave SVN by June.
1973
Truce Agreement signed in Paris, cease fire in South Vietnam.
Last U.S. Troops leave. U.S. Prisoners of War released.
1975
Fall of Saigon. Evacuation of U.S. Embassy.
 
 
 
 
 
 
"THOSE WHO FORGET THE PAST
ARE CONDEMNED TO REPEAT IT IN THE FUTURE"
 
 
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