aug 2, 1964 - Gulf of Tonkin Incident and Resolution
Description:
Incident including North Vietnamese naval ships, and United States naval ships. Later found to be misrepresented, this incident was used as an excuse to engage in the Vietnam war more Directly. The incident was 2 different incidents. The first happened on august 2nd and consisted of 3 Vietnamese torpedo boats being damage, and a few Vietnamese sailors deaths. The incident was sparked by the USS Maddox firing warning shots, to which the torpedo boats returned fire. The Defense Department did not really react to the first incident. The second incident was reported to be another similar engagement 2 days later on August 4th. The Defense Department used the incident as a reason to escalate the war effort in Vietnam. The Secretary of Defense at the time Robert McNamara later admitted that the second incident, on august 4th was fabricated. The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution allowed President Johnson to take any measures necessary to preserve international peace and security. It was passed on August 7th as a result of the Gulf of Tonkin Incident.
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