Gulf of Tonkin Crisis

On August 2 and 4, 1964, the first real involvement in the Vietnam area by U.S. troops occurred. Under the Desoto operation, which was meant to collect intelligence on North Vietnamese actions and VietCong association, the U.S.S. Maddox was stationed in the Gulf of Tonkin. PTF's (fast patrol boats supplied to the Republic of Vietnam by the U.S. Navy) had fired upon targets south of the Maddox's stationed area. The reason for original fire is still unknown.  Apparently, the North Vietnamese then launched torpedoes toward the Destroyer, the Maddox. The U.S. action was originally meant to dissuade North Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh from supporting the guerillas of the VietCong. The Maddox escaped the initial attack due to air support provided by F-8's from the U.S.S. Ticonderoga. On August 4th, a similar conflict occured yet again. In response to these multiple attacks, Johnson ordered carriers to attack North Vietnamese oil storage facilities. 30 enemy naval vessels were sunk.

Johnson's statement to the public can be viewed here

And more primary and secondary resources can be found here