3. Operation Rolling Thunder
In March 1965, President Johnson authorized Operation Rolling Thunder, a sustained bombing campaign targeting North Vietnam. Intended to cripple enemy supply lines, hinder troop movements, and break North Vietnamese morale, the campaign unleashed unprecedented aerial attacks. Over three years, U.S. forces dropped hundreds of thousands of tons of bombs, devastating infrastructure but failing to significantly weaken enemy resolve or halt infiltration into South Vietnam. Despite its immense scale, Operation Rolling Thunder achieved limited strategic success, revealing the complexities of fighting a determined, adaptable adversary. Rather than demoralizing North Vietnam, the relentless bombardment further solidified anti-American sentiment and resistance efforts.
