At the beginning of 1966, the number of U.S. military personnel in South Vietnam totaled 184,300. South Vietnamese military forces totaled 514,000 including the army (ARVN) and the Regional Force and Popular Force (the "Ruff-Puffs") militias. The North Vietnamese People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) numbered 400,000, most still in North Vietnam. 50,000 PAVN cadre and soldiers infiltrated South Vietnam during 1965. Group 559, charged with transporting supplies down the Ho Chi Minh Trail to supply PAVN troops in both South Vietnam and Laos, numbered 24,400 personnel. The U.S. estimated the number of Viet Cong (VC) and PAVN soldiers in South Vietnam at nearly 280,000 by June 1966, including part-time guerrillas. A pause in the bombing of North Vietnam by U.S.
US airplanes bomb North Vietnam
At the beginning of 1966, the number of U.S. military personnel in South Vietnam totaled 184,300.
Historical Significance
At the beginning of 1966, the number of U.
Events Before
49-year-old former England international soccer forward Stanley Matthews is the only player to be awarded a knighthood w
49-year-old former England international soccer forward Stanley Matthews is the only player to be awarded a knighthood while still playing for Stoke City
State funeral for Winston Churchill at St Paul's Cathedral in London; at the time, the world's largest-ever state funera
State funeral for Winston Churchill at St Paul's Cathedral in London; at the time, the world's largest-ever state funeral
Righteous Brothers' music single "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" hits #1
"You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" is a song by Phil Spector, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil, first recorded in 1964 by the American vocal duo the Righteous Brothers.
One of the most popular musical films of all time, "The Sound of Music," starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer,
One of the most popular musical films of all time, "The Sound of Music," starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, premieres (Academy Award for Best Picture - 1966)
Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov leaves his spacecraft Voskhod 2 for 12 minutes and becomes the first person to conduct a
Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov leaves his spacecraft Voskhod 2 for 12 minutes and becomes the first person to conduct a spacewalk
Events After
François Pienaar is born
François Pienaar is born
AFL Championship, War Memorial Stadium, Buffalo: Kansas City Chiefs beat Buffalo Bills, 31-7; QB Len Dawson passes for 2
AFL Championship, War Memorial Stadium, Buffalo: Kansas City Chiefs beat Buffalo Bills, 31-7; QB Len Dawson passes for 2 TDs, RB Mike Garrett runs for 2 TDs
Actor Lee Marvin (42) divorces Elizabeth Ebeling after 14 years of marriage
Actor Lee Marvin (42) divorces Elizabeth Ebeling after 14 years of marriage
Republican Edward W. Brooke of Massachusetts takes his seat as the first African American popularly elected to the US Se
Republican Edward W. Brooke of Massachusetts takes his seat as the first African American popularly elected to the US Senate
Canadian actor Christopher Plummer (37) divorces second wife, British columnist Patricia Lewis after nearly 5 years of m
Canadian actor Christopher Plummer (37) divorces second wife, British columnist Patricia Lewis after nearly 5 years of marriage
More from the 1960s
Apollo 11 Moon Landing
NASA's Apollo 11 mission successfully lands the first humans on the Moon. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first people to walk on the lunar surface.
Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" Speech
Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, calling for an end to racism in the United States.
Tommy Morrison is born
Tommy Morrison, American professional boxer, known for american boxer, was born on 1969-01-02.
Gabrielle Carteris is born
Gabrielle Carteris is born
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on May 30, 1966?
- At the beginning of 1966, the number of U.S. military personnel in South Vietnam totaled 184,300. South Vietnamese military forces totaled 514,000 including the army (ARVN) and the Regional Force and Popular Force (the "Ruff-Puffs") militias.
- Why is US airplanes bomb North Vietnam significant?
- At the beginning of 1966, the number of U.