| 1st | ? |
1964 - Following a 2nd alleged attack by North Vietnamese forces on US Navy ships in the Gulf of Tonkin, President Johnson was given authorization by congress to use conventional military force in SE congress gave, without a formal declaration of war. According to the U.S. Constitution, only congress can declare war and the President is Commander in Chief. |
| 2nd | ? |
1965 - This marks the beginning of the American ground war in Vietnam. The U.S. shifted its approach to the war from a defensive stance to an offensive stance and called for the involvement of SEATO allies. |
| 3rd | ? |
1968 - Viet Minh (North Vietnam) launched surprise attacks in over 100 cities across South Vietnam in an attempt to weaken American and South Vietnamese forces. While caught off guard, American forces quickly regained control, thus making the Tet Offensive a tactical failure. However, it created a political backlash in the United States increasing opposition to the war. This event is the major turning point of the Vietnam War. |
| 4th | ? |
1975 - With weakened American support and political distractions in the United States, the Viet Minh took the advantage in the war and took the southern capital of Saigon on March 30, 1975. The Fall of Saigon marked the end of the Vietnam war. The North Vietnamese united the country under communist rule and occupied Laos and Cambodia as well. |
Tet Offensive
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Fall of Saigon
Escalation of Forces