Tonkin Gulf Incident

The Tonkin Gulf Incident refers to two separate confrontations in August 1964 between North Vietnamese forces and the U.S. Navy in the Gulf of Tonkin. The most significant event occurred on August 4, when U.S. reports claimed that North Vietnamese boats attacked American destroyers. This incident led to heightened U.S. military involvement in Vietnam. The U.S. Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, allowing President Lyndon B. Johnson to escalate American military actions without declaring war. Later, it was revealed that the details of the attacks were misrepresented, raising questions about U.S. motives in the Vietnam War.