JFK was distraught. He was assassinated three weeks later. Lyndon Johnson took over as president. JFK had planned to remove troops in Vietnam, according to historians. Defense Attorney Robert McNamara supports a strong stand in Vietnam. North Vietnamese infiltrate the Ho Chi Minh trail. In 1964 Hanoi increased infiltration. Johnson sends Military chief to direct military policy. General Maxwell D. Taylor became Ambassador, he thought it was only for a year. August 4, 1964 two US Destroyers patrolled off the North Vietnam coast, in the Gulf of Tonkin. South Vietnamese have been attacking this coast for weeks. The destroyers came under attack. Johnson retaliates against the North Vietnam. On August 5, Johnson informs the public "We knew that the hostile actions against the US ship on the high seas of the Gulf of Tonkin, Have today required me to order the military forces of the US to take action and refire." Bombers hit oil and supply depots. After Johnson asks congress for congressional approval to conduct war without declaring it. Congress approved overwhelmingly. Johnson feels this will end the war in six months. The North Vietnamese except sacrifice. Entire communities move underground. The North Vietnamese were supplied by Russia. The Communist respond by taking the war to South Vietnam's cities. October 1964, US plans to increase bombing. Viet Cong attacks at air bases in South Vietnam. Johnson decides to send in ground combat troops. March 8, 1965 3,500 marines land in Denang. There objective was to defend the air bases. Congress processed a request for 90,000 troops to be sent over to South Vietnam. Approved, and 90,000 troops were sent with conventional weapons. North Vietnam declares a full war. The Viet Cong had complete immobilization of man power. All forces was used for survival in the North and Victory in the South. The Ho Chi Mahn is used for a life line for the North. The Ho Chi Mahn trail is seen by the US, as being a key to end the war, by shutting it down.