January

South Vietnamese Premier Tran Van Huong drafts a statement that his country's differences with the United States arising from the military seizure of power on Dec. 20 have been eliminated.

A squadron of United States Air Force fighter-bombers knocks out a key bridge in
Laos on the principal Communist supply route leading from North Vietnam.

The United States goes ahead with its program of expanded military and economic aid for South Vietnam. Maxwell D. Taylor, the United States Ambassador, informs the Government that Washington is ready to underwrite an increase of 100,000 men in the South Vietnamese armed forces, bringing their strength to 660,000.

The military leaders of South Vietnam oust the civilian Government of Premier Huong. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Khanh is appointed to deal with the crisis caused by current anti—Government demonstrations.
The day before this takeover, a 17-year-old Buddhist girl had burned herself to death in protest against the Huong regime.

A struggle for political power begins between General Khanh and the activist Buddhist leader, Thich Tn Quang.



February

Communist guerrillas kill at least 8 United States soldiers and wound dozens of others in two swift attacks on major Vietnamese Army installations in the central highlands, near Pleiku.

United States aircraft strike at North Vietnam in response to what President Johnson calls "provocations ordered and directed by the Hanoi regime".

In a follow-up strike, South Vietnamese air force planes, accompanied by United
States jet fighters, bomb and strafe a military communications center in the
Vinh Linh area of North Vietnam.

The United States launches another air strike on North Vietnam. The Vietcong attack United States barracks at Qui Nhon.

In the biggest air attack of the Vietnam War, more than 160 United States and South Vietnamese fighter planes strike at military installations in North Vietnam. The action is a reprisal for the recent Vietcong attacks.

A military coup in South Vietnam ousts General Khanh for the last time. Dr. Phan Huy Quat forms a new government.

The United States Embassy discloses that over the past week American jet aircraft were sent on air strikes against the Vietcong in South Vietnam. The use of American planes and crews on combat missions against the Vietcong guerrillas supplants an earlier policy of having Americans "advise and assist" the South Vietnamese and fight only in self—defense.

The United States issues a detailed, documented indictment charging North Vietnam with flagrant and increasing aggression against South Vietnam. The charge is accompanied by a warning that the United States might be compelled to expand the war in Vietnam if the aggression from the North does not cease.

March

Two battalions of United States marines begin landing at the bay north of Da Hang to take up security duties around the large United States jet airfield there. North Vietnam and Communist China protest the deployment as an act of United States aggression.

It is reported that the United States is using napalm bombs in air strikes against North Vietnam.

A huge bomb explodes at the United States Embassy, causing scores of casualties, including at least two Americans killed and the wounding of Deputy Ambassador U. Alexis Johnson.

April

The Johnson Administration decides upon an increase in men, money and equipment for South Vietnam to offset the growing strength of the Vietcong insurgents and to increase the pressure upon North Vietnam for a diplomatic settlement.

In the first clash between Communist and American planes in Vietnam, North Vietnamese MIG fighter aircraft shoot down two United States Air Force jets taking part in a bombing attack on a bridge.

President Johnson says that the United States is ready to begin, without prior conditions, diplomatic discussions to end the war in Vietnam. Mr, Johnson also says he will ask Congress to approve a $1 billion American investment in a vast Southeast Asian regional development program that eventually could include North Vietnam.

At a Honolulu Conference, United States officials agree to urge an increase of
82,000 United States troops in Vietnam, but Under Secretary of State George W.
Ball proposes that the United States "cut its losses" and withdraw.

United States and South Vietnamese fighter bombers, in the largest air strike of the war, drop 1,000 tons of bombs on a major stronghold of the Vietcong.

The United States First Logistical Command is established at Long Binh, outside Saigon.

May

The United States begins bringing 3,500 paratroopers to South Vietnam to guard two military bases against Vietcong attack. The new men will bring the number of American military personnel 'in the country to 37,000.

The Johnson Administration orders a temporary suspension of bombings of North Vietnam. Officials insist the reasons are for military reconnaissance and assessment. However, there are indications that the Administration is also
testing the political value of a suspension.

United States Navy planes inflict heavy damage on two Communist military installations 40 miles inside North Vietnam.

An Administration official says warships of the United States Navy have been turning their guns against Vietcong troop concentrations and other coastal targets in South Vietnam. The disclosure of the first use of American naval gunfire in support of land operations comes at a time of increasing signs of direct American combat participation in the Vietnam War.

Cambodia breaks diplomatic ties with the United States.

June

In the central province
of Quang Ngai, the Communists begin to move again after weeks of planning and regrouping. They follow a victory there with successful raids in Pleiku, Phu Bon, Darlac and Kontum provinces, the heart of the Central Highlands.

President Johnson authorizes his commanders in Vietnam to commit United States ground forces to combat if their assistance is requested by the South Vietnamese Army.

A contingent of 2,500 more American troops, including two battalions of Army
combat engineers, begins arriving to build a major supply base at Cam Ranh Bay.
The contingent raises the number of United States military personnel to 53,500.

Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara announces the deployment of 21,000
additional troops, bringing the total to 75,000.

Twenty-seven B—52's based on Guam carry out the first attack by the heavy bombers in the war in Vietnam, but they fail to inflict significant casualties on Vietcong troops.

Air Vice Marshal Nguyen Cao Ky formally assumes office as Premier of South Vietnam. Marshal Ky and his Central Executive Council are to be subordinate to the 10-man military National Leadership Committee headed by Maj. Gen. Nguyen Van Thieu.

At least 31 people, including 9 Americans, are killed when two terrorist bombs explode on a riverboat restaurant in Saigon. Meanwhile, Vietcong units slash into South Vietnamese Government military positions outside Duc Hoa, a province capital 15 miles from Saigon.

American paratroops join for the first time with South Vietnamese Government soldiers, for a combined offensive against a Communist stronghold in the jungle. The operation is the most ambitious so far undertaken by United States troops in South Vietnam.

July

Vietcong guerrillas make a surprise attack on Da Nang air base, killing one American and destroying or damaging six planes.

President Johnson nominates Henry Cabot Lodge to resume the position of Ambassador to South Vietnam, in place of Maxwell D. Taylor, who has resigned.

Secretary McNamara, after a completing a visit to South Vietnam, says he found that the situation is still serious and that in many ways it had deteriorated in the last 15 months. He leaves the impression that he will recommend an increase in United States combat forces to carry on the war.

United States military strength in South Vietnam, President Johnson announces, will be increased from the present 75,000 men to 125,000 "almost immediately." Draft calls, he says, will be gradually raised to 35,000 men a month from the current rate of 17,00.

United States Army headquarters is set up near Saigon, at Long Binh. August President Johnson asks Congress for $1.7 billion in extra defense appropriations to strengthen United States military power in the war in Vietnam.

In the first major ground action waged solely by United States troops in Vietnam, Marines estimate that more than 600 of the enemy are killed in a battle near an American airstrip in Chu Lai.

September

United States military strength in Vietnam is expected to reach about 200,000 by the end of the year.

October

Demonstrations protesting the continuing American involvement in the Vietnam War are conducted in cities across the United States as part of a weekend series of such rallies.

Vietcong guerrillas stage a devastating mortar attack on the United States Marine airfields at Da Hang and Chu Lai in Central Vietnam. They destroy at least 20 aircraft and damage.

The United States Special Forces camp at Plei Me comes under extended attack, Washington says the United States has 148,300 troops in Vietnam.

November

A Quaker man burns himself to death outside the Pentagon as a protest against the war.

United States troops fight two savage battles with Communist forces in scrub country west of the battered Plei Me outpost. Neither side appears to win a clear victory.

The State Department confirms a report that the United States rejected an offer by North Vietnam to have representatives of the two nations meet in Burma to discuss terms for ending hostilities in Vietnam.

The Ia Drang River valley becomes the scene of a week—long, ferocious battle between United States Airmobile units and a North Vietnamese regiment. Both sides suffer serious casualties.

The heaviest death toll for one week 240 Americans killed in action is reported by the United States military; almost all of the casualties were suffered in the bloody fighting in the Ia Drang valley.

American forces defeat North Vietnamese units in the Ia Drang valley.

December

Ho Chi Minh, President of North Vietnam, dismisses President Johnson's offer of unconditional discussions" as insincere; he says that the United States is actually seeking continuation of American control of South Vietnam.

United States field commanders are authorized to pursue enemy troops into Cambodia in cases of "clear self—defense." Field commanders are also given permission to call in artillery barrages and tactical air strikes on enemy positions across the border if necessary.

The United States and its allies order a 30—hour Christmas truce in the war, exceeding an offer by the Vietcong, which said in an earlier broadcast that its forces would observe a 12-hour truce. The United States also suspends bombing of North Vietnam during the truce period.

As part of a "peace offensive," the United States sends diplomatic missions to foreign governments to convey American willingness to enter negotiations on Vietnam. Governments express an interest in assisting the American peace effort by making representations to Hanoi.

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