When did the United States get into the Vietnam War?

As an expert in military history, I can provide you with a detailed account of the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War. The Vietnam War was a conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. It was the second of the Indochina Wars and was officially fought between the government of South Vietnam and the communist government of North Vietnam, although North Vietnam received significant support from the Soviet Union, China, and other communist allies. The United States' involvement in the Vietnam War can be traced back to the early 1950s, but it escalated significantly in the mid-1960s. The U.S. initially provided financial support and military advisors to the South Vietnamese government, which was facing an insurgency led by the Viet Cong, a communist guerrilla force supported by North Vietnam. On March 8, 1965, a pivotal moment in the war occurred when the first American combat troops, specifically the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, landed at China Beach, north of Da Nang. This marked the beginning of large-scale U.S. ground combat operations in Vietnam. Prior to this, the U.S. had already been conducting limited naval operations and had initiated the bombing of North Vietnam. Additionally, there were already 23,000 military advisors present on the ground in Vietnam, assisting the South Vietnamese forces. The decision to deploy combat troops was influenced by several factors. The U.S. was concerned about the spread of communism in Southeast Asia, a policy known as the "Domino Theory," which posited that if one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would follow. The U.S. also wanted to prevent the fall of South Vietnam to the communist North, which would have been a significant strategic loss in the context of the Cold War. Once the combat troops were deployed, the number of U.S. military personnel in Vietnam grew rapidly. By 1968, there were over 500,000 U.S. troops in Vietnam. The war was marked by intense fighting, including major battles such as the Battle of Khe Sanh and the Tet Offensive. The Tet Offensive, launched by the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces in January 1968, was a turning point in the war. Despite inflicting heavy casualties on the communist forces, the offensive led to a loss of public support for the war in the United States due to the perception that the U.S. was not making progress. The U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War was also characterized by significant social and political opposition within the country. Anti-war protests and the civil rights movement were prominent during this period, leading to a period of social unrest and division. The war eventually ended with the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, which marked the victory of the communist forces and the unification of Vietnam under communist rule. The aftermath of the war had profound effects on both Vietnam and the United States, with lasting impacts on the countries' societies, economies, and foreign policies. In conclusion, the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War was a complex and controversial chapter in American history. It began with limited support to the South Vietnamese government and escalated into a full-scale conflict with the deployment of combat troops in 1965. The war was driven by strategic concerns during the Cold War and the desire to contain the spread of communism. However, it resulted in significant casualties, social unrest, and a reevaluation of U.S. foreign policy.

On March 8, 1965, the first American combat troops -C the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade -C waded ashore at China Beach north of Da Nang. There had already been limited U.S.naval action, and the bombing of North Vietnam had commenced. There were also 23,000 military advisors already on the ground.Mar 8, 2013