North Vietnamese torpedo boats attack an American Destroyer in the Gulf of Tonkin, the attack fails.  However it is reports of a second attack which did not take place which makes the congress pass a resolution which allow President Johnson to take what have military action he wishes to in Vietnam, it would be the legal base for the Vietnam War.

A profile of American Secretary of Defence Robert Mac Namara.  The gap between the positive view of how the war was going by General Harkins and MACV using doubtful data and that far less rosy view presented by journalists and junior Army officers who had served in South Vietnam and who witnessed the growth of the Viet Cong revolt in the countryside.

Following the murder of Diem there is political chaos in South Vietnam, there is a second coup within just two months as the South Vietnamese Army Generals struggle for power between themselves.  This leaves support for the Government of South Vietnam even weaker among the people.  President Kennedy is killed and replaced by President Johnson.

As Buddhist protests against President Diem grow in South Vietnam.  After much debate President Kennedy agrees to the demand of ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge to arrange a coup to bring down president Diem.  As a result of that coup, Diem is murdered in cold blood shot in the back of an armoured personnel carrier.

Even with the Viet Cong revolt in the south going badly for the Government.  President Diem now picks a fight with the majority Buddhist population, this leads to violent protest in the Cities of South Vietnam and monks burning themselves to death.  The American Government begins to question its support to Diem.  A biography of American ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge.