Vietnam War - Hit Song Timeline: 1965

The War Escalates!



On January 26, 1965, as approximately 23,000 military "advisors" trained South Vietnamese troops, the United States was swinging to the hip grooves of their newest British import. A blonde-haired dream girl, named Miss Petula Clark. Who just happened to have a number one hit titled "Downtown".


Operation Flaming Dart One and Two (Feb 7 and Feb 11, 1965)

• Flaming Dart One: To show the communist that the USA was serious about their involvement in South Vietnam, Johnson orders air strikes against North Vietnamese military installations in and around Dong Hoi.

• Flaming Dart Two: Johnson, once again orders air strikes in response to Vietcong retaliatory strikes against a hotel housing US troops. This time targeting Vietcong logistic and communication centers close to the DMZ.

While US Navy jets from aircraft carriers were flying 49 sorties during Flaming Dart One and 99 more sorties during Flaming Dart Two, Americans back home were listening to the Righteous Brothers first major hit, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'". The song had moved to number one on Feb 6, and remained there until Feb 20.


Operation Rolling Thunder Begins (March 2, 1965 - Nov 1, 1968)

• Initially, Rolling Thunder was to be a highly restrictive, eight-week campaign to restrict the flow of troops and supplies into South Vietnam.

• By the time it was finished 3 years later, the operation had evolved to include; propping up the South Vietnamese government; attempting to force North Vietnam to stop supporting the Vietcong; and destroying North Vietnam's transportation system, industrial complexes, and air defenses compounds.

• Because of highly restrictive orders of engagement that were dictated by political forces in the White House, Operation Rolling Thunder was unsuccessful even though the United States Navy and Air Force, by the end of the war, flew over 3 million sorties and dropped four times more bombs than were dropped in World War 2.

As approximately 100 US fighters and bombers began to strafe and pepper the Ho Chi Minh trail in a futile attempt to stop the flow of troops and supplies from reaching South Vietnam, all the cool kids listened on their AM radios to Gary Lewis and the Playboys sing about unfaithful love and broken hearts, in the hit song, "This Diamond Ring". The song reached number one the week of Feb 20th, and remained there until March 6th.


The First US Troop Surge Approved (April 1, 1965)

• President Johnson approves the first of many increases of US military forces in the region. With the addition of two Marine Battalions and approximately 20,000 "logistical personal", the total approved troop level is now over 60,000 troops.

Not knowing that Johnson was beginning the process of signing many a young man's death warrant, America's youth were bopping to the Motown beats of The Supremes and their latest number one hit "Stop! In The Name Of Love".


The First US Combat Troops Arrive (May 3, 1965)

• On May 3, 1965 the lead elements of the 173rd Airborne Brigade arrived "in country", making them the first US combat units to serve in Vietnam.

• Gen. Williamson, the Brigade commander, in the tradition of military commanders throughout history, predicts a quick victory and to be home by Christmas.

As the US invasion was sweeping ashore in Southeast Asia, the shores of America where in the grips of the British invasion. Herman's Hermits fired another salvo across the bow of the US music scene with the 3-week chart topping hit song, "Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter".


The Surge Continues (July 28, 1965)

President Johnson announces he is:

• Doubling the troop levels in South Vietnam to 125,000 men.

• Raising the number of men drafted monthly from 17,000 to 35,000.

• Signing a law making it illegal to burn your draft card.

Perhaps one of the forty Berkley students that in May staged the first public draft card burning was kicked back with his best chick in the back seat of a new convertible; watching the stars, dreaming of tomorrow and listening to the radio play "Mr. Tambourine Man" The Byrds hit single as of July 26.

Operation Starlite (Aug 17, 1965 - Aug 24, 1965)

• Americas first purely offensive ground combat mission of the war.

• A pre-emptive strike by approximately 5500 United States Marines against a 1500 man strong Vietcong regiment.

• The operation was declared a success, and the bad guy body count increased by 600 men.

And a young girl listens to the new Sonny And Cher single "I've Got You Babe", as she reads the last letter she will ever get from her boyfriend, one of the 45 marines that die during Operation Starlite. It was the number one single from Aug 14th through Sept 4th.


Operation Hump (Nov 5, 1965 - Nov 8, 1965)

• A search and destroy operation that began on Nov 5th in the area around Bien Hoa.

• The operation was carried out by the 173rd Airborne

• On the morning of Nov 8th 400 soldiers of the 173rd were ambushed by 1200 Vietcong, resulting in an all day, close quarters battle.

• The Vietcong, eventually, withdraw from combat, but not before 48 more Americans lay dead.

As America believed in the Beatle's song "Yesterday", Operation Hump was giving the United States its first black Medal of Honor recipient of the war. Sgt Lawrence Joel was awarded both the Silver Star and the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the operation.

The Battle of Ia Drang (Nov 14, 1965 - Nov 18, 1965)

• The Vietcong had been working with impunity in the Central Highland region of South Vietnam

• The United States wanted to test their new Air Mobility tactics.

• In early November, the commander of the 3rd Brigade, Col. Brown orders a reconnaissance in force mission of the area.

• On Nov 14, 1965, American forces landed at LZ X-ray and are attacked by more than 4000 North Vietnamese soldiers.

• Encircled, the Americans hold the LZ X-ray until relief arrives on Nov 18th. 76 men are lost and many more are wounded.

• On Nov 17th 400 troops sent to occupy LZ Albany are overwhelmed by NVA forces that kill 155 soldiers and wound another 124.

• A book and a movie are written about the United States soldier's heroism.

A nation shocked by the disturbing images of protesters setting themselves on flames in front of the Pentagon on Nov 2nd and then again in front of the UN building on Nov 9th tell the world to, "Get Off of My Cloud".

And with that the year, 1965, ends.....

Stay tuned in .... 1966 is almost here!