Key Battles of American History

James Early

VW5: The Gulf of Tonkin Incident and the Entry of American Ground Forces

July 2, 2025 ● 53 min

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In August, 1964, three North Vietnamese gunboats attacked an American destroyer. This incident was followed by a perceived (but imaginary) second attack. These attacks, although one was not real, led to the US Congress passing the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which authorized the president to take “all necessary measures to repel armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.” Johnson then authorized Operation Rolling Thunder, a massive and ongoing bombing of North Vietnam. He also decided to send the first American ground troops to South Vietnam.

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Today's Devotional

A Prayer for Resurrection in the Areas I Thought Were Dead - Your Daily Prayer - April 2

Just as Jesus rose from the grave, God can breathe life into the areas of our lives that feel buried. No matter how devastating the loss, when we seek Him in our disappointment and pain, we will begin to see dry bones stir.

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