1964 in the Vietnam War

1964 in the Vietnam War
← 1963 1965 →
	; A map of South Vietnam showing provincial boundaries and names and military zones: I, II, III, and IV Corps.
Location	Indochina
Belligerents
Anti-Communist forces: South Vietnam; United States; Kingdom of Laos	Communist forces: North Vietnam; Viet Cong; Pathet Lao; Soviet Union
Strength
US: 23,310 (31 Dec 1964) ; South Vietnam: 514,000 (includes militia)	PAVN/VC:100,000
Casualties and losses
US: 216 killed; South Vietnam: 7,457 killed	PAVN/VC: 16,785 killed

South Vietnam was in political chaos during much of the year, as generals competed for power and Buddhists protested against the government. The Viet Cong (VC) communist guerrillas expanded their operations and defeated the South Vietnamese Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) in many battles. North Vietnam made a definitive judgement in January to assist the VC insurgency with men and material. In November, North Vietnam ordered the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) to infiltrate units into South Vietnam and undertake joint military operations with the VC.

The new President of the United States, Lyndon Johnson, and his civilian and military advisers wrestled with the problem of a failing government in South Vietnam and military gains by the VC. In August, an attack on United States Navy vessels caused Johnson to seek and gain U.S. congressional approval of the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, which authorized him to use military force if necessary to defend South Vietnam. Throughout the year, there were calls from many quarters—American, foreign, and South Vietnamese—for the United States to negotiate an agreement for the neutralization of South Vietnam, which they refused to consider.

Many of President Johnson's advisers advocated an air war against North Vietnam and the introduction of U.S. combat troops into South Vietnam. By year's end, the 23,000 U.S. military personnel in South Vietnam were still technically "advisers" (although they participated in many air and ground operations with the ARVN), but Johnson was contemplating U.S. ground troops.

^ Lewy, Gunther (1978). America in Vietnam. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0195027327.
^ Stewart, Richard (2009). American Military History Volume II. United States Army Center of Military History. ISBN 978-1419100017.
^ "Vietnam War U.S. Military Fatal Casualty Statistics". National Archives. 15 August 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
^ Clarke, Jeffrey (1998). The U.S. Army in Vietnam Advice and Support: The Final Years, 1965–1973 (PDF). U.S. Army Center of Military History. ISBN 978-1518612619. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

[Lewy-1] Lewy, Gunther (1978). America in Vietnam. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0195027327.

[Stewart-2] Stewart, Richard (2009). American Military History Volume II. United States Army Center of Military History. ISBN 978-1419100017.

[United-3] "Vietnam War U.S. Military Fatal Casualty Statistics". National Archives. 15 August 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2021.

[Clarke-4] Clarke, Jeffrey (1998). The U.S. Army in Vietnam Advice and Support: The Final Years, 1965–1973 (PDF). U.S. Army Center of Military History. ISBN 978-1518612619. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

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