Gulf of Tonkin Incident

The Gulf of Tonkin Incident refers to two naval confrontations in August 1964 between the United States and North Vietnam. The first incident involved a reported attack on a U.S. destroyer, while the second, less clear incident, led to President Lyndon B. Johnson requesting Congress to authorize military action. This resulted in the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which significantly escalated U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Later, it was revealed that the details of these incidents were exaggerated, raising questions about the justification for military intervention. The incident marked a pivotal moment in American foreign policy and military engagement in Vietnam.