Vietnam War Timeline: 1963 - 1964
1963
2nd Jan.
First major defeat of ARVN by V.C. units at the Battle of Ap Bac.
1st Nov.
A military coup topples the government of South Vietnam. President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother, Ngo Dinh Nhu, are killed.
22nd Nov.
President Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn in as the new U.S. leader.
31st Dec.
16,300 U.S. military personnel in South Vietnam
1964
Jan.
Lt. General William Westmoreland is appointed Deputy Commander of MACV
24th Jan.
MACV Studies & Observations Group (SOG) is formed.
April
North Vietnam begins infiltration of regular army units in to the South.
15th May
MAAG-Vietnam is disbanded in Saigon
20th June
Gen. Westmoreland replaces General Paul Harkins as MACV Commander
July
New Zealand troops arrive to work with the Australians in Phuoc Tuy province.
6th July
The Viet Cong launch their first major attack against a U.S. military base. The
camp at Nam Dong is home to USSF Detachment A-726. Special Forces Captain Roger
H. C. Donlon will be awarded the first Medal of Honour of the Vietnam war for his
actions during the battle.
7th Aug.
U.S. Congress passes the Tonkin Gulf Resolution in response to North Vietnamese
patrol boats attacking the USS Maddox and Turner Joy a few days before.
1st Oct.
5th Special Forces Group deploys to Vietnam to oversee Special Forces
operations.
31st Dec.
23,000 U.S. military personnel in Vietnam.
1961-1962 1965