On August 2, 1964, a North Vietnamese patrol boat fired a torpedo at an American destroyer, the USS Maddox, which was on an average, daily patrol, in the Gulf of Tonkin off the North Vietnamese coat. Fortunately, the torpedo missed its target but, the Maddox returned fire and which resulted in heavy damage on the patrol boat. Two days later, the Maddox and another destroyer were off the North Vietnamese coat. Despite bad weather conditions, the crew members reported enemy torpedoes, and the American destroyers began firing.
Due to the attack on the U.S. ships, it led President Johnson to launch bombing strikes on North Vietnam. He asked congress for powers to take “all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.” Therefore, congress approved his request, and adopted the Tonkin Gulf Resolution on August 7th. Which was not a declaration of war, it just granted Johnson general military powers in Vietnam.
However, President Johnson didn’t tell Congress or the American people that the U.S. bad been sending secret raids against North Vietnam. The Maddox had been in the Gulf of Tonkin to collect information for these raids. Furthermore, Johnson had prepared the resolution months beforehand and was only waiting for the chance to push it through Congress. The Tonkin Gulf Resolution dug U.S. involvement deeper and deeper into the Vietnam War.
By: Kaley Timmony
Due to the attack on the U.S. ships, it led President Johnson to launch bombing strikes on North Vietnam. He asked congress for powers to take “all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.” Therefore, congress approved his request, and adopted the Tonkin Gulf Resolution on August 7th. Which was not a declaration of war, it just granted Johnson general military powers in Vietnam.
However, President Johnson didn’t tell Congress or the American people that the U.S. bad been sending secret raids against North Vietnam. The Maddox had been in the Gulf of Tonkin to collect information for these raids. Furthermore, Johnson had prepared the resolution months beforehand and was only waiting for the chance to push it through Congress. The Tonkin Gulf Resolution dug U.S. involvement deeper and deeper into the Vietnam War.
By: Kaley Timmony