BY CHRIS WARD

Vietnamese forces occupy the French command post at Dien Bien Phu and the French commander orders his troops to cease fire.

A specialized North Vietnamese Army unit, Group 559, is formed to create a supply route from North Vietnam to Vietcong forces in South Vietnam.

The U.S. congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving President Johnson the power to take whatever actions he sees necessary to defend southeast Asia.

northwest corner of South Vietnam, elements of three NVA divisions begin to mass near the Marine

mortars and rockets slam into the Marine base at Khe Sanh.

Vietcong units surge into action over the length and breadth of South Vietnam.

While Marines wait for a massive assault, NVA forces retreat into the jungle around Khe Sanh.

Massive search and destroy sweeps are launched against Vietcong remnants around Saigon and other parts of South Vietnam.

In the hamlet of My Lai, U.S. Charlie Company kills about two hundred civilians

a massive North Vietnamese barrage slams into Khe Sanh. More than 1,000 rounds hit the base, at a rate of a hundred every hour.

U.S. forces in Operation Pegasus finally retake Route 9, ending the siege of Khe Sanh.

U.S. forces in Operation Pegasus finally retake Route 9, ending the siege of Khe Sanh.

After three-and-a-half years, Operation Rolling Thunder comes to an end. In total, the campaign had cost more than 900 American aircraft.

President Richard M. Nixon takes office as the new President of the United States

THE WAR ENDS