Gulf of Tonkin incident

Quick Facts: Who was Gulf of Tonkin incident?

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Gulf of Tonkin incident

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A 1964 naval confrontation in the Gulf of Tonkin that escalated US involvement in Vietnam.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Gulf of Tonkin incident (Vietnamese: Sự kiện Vịnh Bắc Bộ) refers to a naval confrontation in the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of North Vietnam, which led to the United States engaging more directly in the Vietnam War. On 2 August 1964 there was a clash between a destroyer of the United States Navy that was collecting signals intelligence close to North Vietnamese waters, and three North Vietnamese naval vessels. On the night of 4 August, two US destroyers reported they were attacked by North Vietnamese vessels and that they were returning fire. Later investigation revealed that the 4 August attack did not happen; no North Vietnamese vessels had been present. Shortly after the events, the National Security Agency, an agency of the US Defense Department, deliberately skewed intelligence to create the impression that an attack had been carried out.

Career & Major Achievements

On the night of 30 July, South Vietnamese commandos raided a North Vietnamese radar station on the island of Hòn Mê in the Gulf of Tonkin. The next day the destroyer USS Maddox commanded by Commander Herbert L. Ogier began patrolling near the North Vietnamese coast. On 2 August, the Maddox, while performing a signals intelligence patrol as part of DESOTO operations, near one of the islands that had been shelled two nights before, was approached by three North Vietnamese Navy torpedo boats of the 135th Torpedo Squadron. Maddox fired warning shots and the North Vietnamese boats attacked with torpedoes and machine gun fire. In the ensuing engagement, one US aircraft (which had been launched from the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga) was damaged, three North Vietnamese torpedo boats were damaged, and four North Vietnamese sailors were killed, with six more wounded.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

There were no US casualties. Maddox was "unscathed except for a single bullet hole from a [North] Vietnamese machine gun round". On 3 August, destroyer USS Turner Joy joined Maddox and the two destroyers continued the DESOTO mission. On the evening of 4 August, the ships opened fire on radar returns that had been preceded by communications intercepts, which US forces said meant an attack was imminent. The commodore of the Maddox task force, Captain John Herrick, reported that the ships were being attacked by North Vietnamese boats when, in fact, there were no North Vietnamese boats in the area.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1964: 1964 Milestone — On 2 August 1964 there was a clash between a destroyer of the United States Navy that was collecting signals intelligence close to North Vietnamese waters, and three North Vietnamese naval vessels.

Notable Quotes by Gulf of Tonkin incident

“Absolutely nothing” (1995)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Gulf of Tonkin incident

True or False: “The initial clash on August 2, 1964, involved the USS Maddox patrolling near North Vietnamese waters.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The incident began with the USS Maddox performing a signals intelligence patrol as part of DESOTO operations on August 2, 1964.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Gulf of Tonkin incident