dipity

The events from the summer of 1964 that led to Lyndon B. Johnson's escalation of the war in Vietnam in the spring of 1965.

Created by hklein on May 25, 2008

Last updated: 03/11/10 at 02:16 AM

• U.S. Attempts to Negotiate with Vietnam
  Apr 6, 1965

  The U.S. offers North Vietnam economic aid in exchange for peace, but Vietnam rejects the offer. Two weeks later, President Johnson raises America's combat strength in Vietnam to more than 60,000 troops. Allied forces from Korea and Australia are added as a sign of international support.

• President Johnson's "Peace Without Conquest" Speech
  Apr 6, 1965

  at Johns Hopkins University

• President Johnson Authorizes the Use of Napalm
  Mar 8, 1965

  Napalm: a petroleum based anti-personnel bomb that showers hundreds of explosive pellets upon impact.

• First U.S. Combat Troops Arrive in Vietnam
  Mar 7, 1965

• Operation Rolling Thunder
  Mar 1, 1965

  The first bombing raids of rolling thunder are flown.

• First U.S. Air Strikes Against the Ho Chi Minh Trail
  Mar 1, 1965

• American Campaign Against North Vietnam's Transport System Begins
  Mar 1, 1965

  Navy and Air Force planes attack bridges, road and rail junctions, truck parks and supply depots.

• General Khanh Is Overthrown in Saigon
  Feb 17, 1965

  Military coup in Saigon results in the installment of a new government led by Dr. Phan Huy Quat

• Operation Rolling Thunder
  Feb 12, 1965

  Johnson authorizes Operation Rolling Thunder, a bombing offensive.

• Operation Flaming Dart
  Feb 6, 1965

  The bombing of a North Vietnamese army camp near Dong Hoi by U.S. Navy jets from the carrier Ranger.

• General Khanh Seizes Full Control of South Vietnam's Government
  Jan 26, 1965

• Escalation Vs. Withdrawal
  Jan 26, 1965

  National Security Advisor McGeorge Bundy and Defense Secretary Robert McNamara send a memo to President Johnson warning him that he needs to either withdraw or escalate the war.

• Lyndon B. Johnson's Inauguration
  Jan 19, 1965

• Operation Game Warden
  Dec 1964

  U.S. Navy river patrols on South Vietnam's inland waterways

• Military Coup Occurs in Saigon by the South Vietnamese Army
  Dec 19, 1964

• Policy of Escalation Is Proposed
  Nov 30, 1964

  Secretary of State Dean Rusk, National Security Advisor McGeorge Bundy, and Defense Secretary McNamara, recommend a policy of gradual escalation of U.S. military involvement in Vietnam.

• U.S. Presidential Election
  Nov 2, 1964

  Lyndon B. Johnson defeats Barry Goldwater in a landslide election.

• First attack by Viet Cong Against Americans in Vietnam
  Oct 31, 1964

  Vietcong mortars shell Bien Hoa Air Base near Saigon two days before the U.S. presidential election

• China Tests It's First Atomic Bomb
  Oct 15, 1964

• Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev is Replaced by Leonid Brezhnev
  Oct 13, 1964

• South Vietnamese Generals Stage an Unsuccessful Coup in Saigon
  Sep 12, 1964

• The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
  Aug 6, 1964