Category Archives: Vietnam War

Congress gives President Johnson broad powers to wage war in North Vietnam 50 years ago today (Aug 7 1964)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - LBJ Goes to War [3/11]' (Aug. 7, 1964, at 16:08)

(Friday, August 7, 1964; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The House of Representatives and the Senate approved today the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving President Lyndon B. Johnson broad powers in dealing with reported North Vietnamese attacks on U.S. forces click here watch a clip from ‘The Presidents: LBJ’ at 1:38:48).

First American flier shot down, captured by North Vietnam 50 years ago today (Aug 5 1964)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - America's Enemy [5/11]' (Alvarez at 15:07)

(Wednesday, August 5, 1964; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. Navy pilot Everett Alvarez Jr. became the first American flier to be shot down and captured by North Vietnam today; he was held prisoner until February 1973.

Communist PT boats allegedly renew raids at Gulf of Tonkin 50 years ago this hour (Aug 4 1964)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - LBJ Goes to War [3/11]' (Gulf of Tonkin incident, Aug. 4, 1964, at 12:35)

(Tuesday, August 4, 1964, 10:30 p.m. North Vietnamese time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The Defense Department announced tonight that North Vietnamese PT boats made a “deliberate attack” today on two United States destroyers patrolling international waters in the Gulf of Tonkin off North Vietnam. Continue reading Communist PT boats allegedly renew raids at Gulf of Tonkin 50 years ago this hour (Aug 4 1964)

Blast kills 5, cripples U.S. ship in Saigon 50 years ago this hour (May 2 1964)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 5' (May 2, 1964, at 13:07)

(Saturday, May 2, 1964, 3:00 a.m. local time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The USS Card was mined by sappers of a Viet Cong underwater demolition team this morning while docked in the heavily defended Saigon Harbor, then capitol of South Vietnam. Five civilian crew members were killed by the explosions

President Nixon honors Vietnam veterans 40 years ago this hour (Mar 29 1974)


Video: 'Vietnam The Ten Thousand Day War 10of13 The Village War DivX521 AC3 www MVGroup org' (Mar. 29, 1974, at 444:33)

(Friday, March 29, 1974, 12:35 p.m. EDT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President Richard Nixon said today the Americans who served in Vietnam can be proud that the “American effort … was in good conscience, honorably undertaken and honorably ended.”

Battle of Dien Bien Phu begins 60 years ago this hour (Mar 13 1954)


Video: 'War in Vietnam : Documentary on the Battle of Dien Bien Phu' (Mar. 13, 1954, at 18:36)

(Saturday, March 13, 1954, 6:15 p.m. local time; during the Cold War) — The Battle of Dien Bien Phu began today during the First Indochina War as communist forces attacked French troops, who were defeated nearly two months later. Continue reading Battle of Dien Bien Phu begins 60 years ago this hour (Mar 13 1954)

Vietnam military junta overthrown 50 years ago this hour (Jan 30 1964)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 3' (Jan. 30, 1964 at 5:53)

(Thursday, January 30, 1964, before dawn ICT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Maj. Gen. Nguyen Khanh, a 37-year-old army corps commander, became a virtual dictator of South Vietnam today in a swift, bloodless coup, replacing the military junta led by General Duong Van Minh. Continue reading Vietnam military junta overthrown 50 years ago this hour (Jan 30 1964)

President Kennedy dictates thoughts regarding Vietnam coup 50 years ago today (1963)


Video: 'PRESIDENT KENNEDY DICTATES NOTES REGARDING VIETNAM (NOVEMBER 4, 1963)'

(Monday, November 4, 1963, evening; during the 1963 South Vietnamese coup, part of the Vietnam War, the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy reflected upon the tumultuous events that had transpired in Saigon over the previous weekend, the overthrow and murder of South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother Ngo Ding Nhu.