In what year did President Johnson escalate American troop involvement in Vietnam?

The year 1965 is significant in the context of the Vietnam War because it marks the beginning of large-scale American troop deployments under President Lyndon B. Johnson. In that year, Johnson made the decision to send combat troops to Vietnam, transitioning from a supporting role to a more direct involvement in the conflict. This escalation included the deployment of the first U.S. combat troops as well as increased airstrikes against North Vietnam.

Prior to 1965, U.S. involvement in Vietnam was primarily limited to advisory and support roles, with a smaller number of troops present, mainly to assist the South Vietnamese forces. By escalating involvement in 1965, the Johnson administration aimed to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia, a key element of U.S. foreign policy at the time. This marked a crucial turning point that would lead to a significant increase in U.S. military presence and operations in Vietnam through the ensuing years.