<P> After several attacks upon them , it was decided that U.S. Air Force bases needed more protection as the South Vietnamese military seemed incapable of providing security . On 8 March 1965 , 3,500 U.S. Marines were dispatched to South Vietnam . This marked the beginning of the American ground war . U.S. public opinion overwhelmingly supported the deployment . </P>
<P> After several attacks upon them , it was decided that U.S. Air Force bases needed more protection as the South Vietnamese military seemed incapable of providing security . On 8 March 1965 , 3,500 U.S. Marines were dispatched to South Vietnam . This marked the beginning of the American ground war . U.S. public opinion overwhelmingly supported the deployment . </P>
when did us troops start fighting in vietnam
when did us troops start fighting in vietnam
8 March 1965
8 March 1965