On March 8, 1965, the first sizeable contingent of U.S. combat troops arrived at Da Nang in South Vietnam. Prior to this, American involvement had mainly taken the form of advisors and support roles. The landing signaled a major expansion of U.S. ground involvement in the Vietnam War. This escalation was part of a broader strategy to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. The presence of combat troops marked a turning point that eventually involved hundreds of thousands of American soldiers. The decision would shape U.S. politics, protest movements, and foreign policy debates for years.
