In Vietnam….America’s Escalation into war

1965 – Vietcong attack at Airbase Pleiku The War Escalates 1964 – Gulf of Tonkin Resolution – Results in massive airstrikes in N. Vietnam 1965 – Vietcong attack at Airbase Pleiku Seven Marines died President LBJ orders Operation Rolling Thunder Increased bombing in N. Vietnam

However, by mid-1965 America’s role in Vietnam is still defensive This created a problem.. Needs to protect American airbases LBJ sends two Marine battalions American fighting force  75,000 However, by mid-1965 America’s role in Vietnam is still defensive March 30th 1965 Vietcong explode car bomb in Saigon Along w/ other attacks the need for more troops is needed.

Troop count will increase from 75,000 to 150,000 immediately LBJ Escalates War Troop count will increase from 75,000 to 150,000 immediately American Troops will now begin active combat roles  no longer just defensive The Draft call which was 17,000 over a five month span will increase to 35,000 monthly By end of 1965 there will be more than 250,000 troops in Vietnam

The War Changes Battle of Ia Drang First American offensive attack Three days of incredibly hard fighting Roughly 1,500 NVA were killed Roughly 500 Americans were killed 10:1 kill ratio This single battle changes the course of the war  war of attrition

Battle of Ia Drang changed the scope of battle New objective  Search and Destroy The war would be won by body count not land taken Hard for troop and people back home to see who’s winning  Creates the “Creditability Gap”

The Turning Point Tet Offensive NVA & Vietcong launch massive offensive strike on multiple American targets Americans fought off attack However  While American military victory it was a total victory for the NVA & Vietcong psychology & politically The War took a turn for the worse

The War Shifts LBJ realizes the disaster that Tet created Denies running for President in1968 Richard Nixon wins Presidency Puts forth new policy  Vietnamization

Peace With Honor As promised by his campaign Nixon started withdrawing troops from Vietnam America over the next four years would withdraw all troops and exit Vietnam Would not end good for America and be seen as an embarrassment