This Day in American Military History

5 August 1964: Today marks the official beginning of the Vietnam War for the United States.

Operation Pierce Arrow: the United States bombed North Vietnam. Aircraft launched from Ticonderoga and Constellation hit North Vietnamese PT boat bases and coastal installations, as well as oil storage facilities.

Navy Lieutenant Everett Alvarez Jr. became the first American pilot to be downed in Vietnam and the first to be taken prisoner in North Vietnam (second prisoner in the war), when his A-4 Skyhawk was hit, forcing him to bail out. Alvarez was held as a POW until February 12, 1973. Alvarez’s captivity would be second only to that of Army Captain Floyd “Jim” Thompson, who had been captured in South Vietnam four months earlier (see March 26).

Quote of the Day: “For years and years we’ve dreamed of this day, and we kept faith—faith in God, In our President and our country. . . .God bless you, Mr. and Mrs. America, you did not forget us.” – Everett Alvarez, Jr., Travis Air Force Base, February 16, 1973

Brandus, Paul. This Day in U.S. Military History (pp. 192-193). Bernan Press. Kindle Edition.