August 4 1964 Report Gulf Tonkin Incident

### About this speech Lyndon B. Johnson August 04, 1964 Source National Archives Johnson informs the American people of the attack on U.S. warships in the Gulf of Tonkin by gunboats from North Vietnam, and reports that a retaliatory attack is already in progress. He reiterates the firm commitment the U.S. made to secure a peaceful South Vietnam. In addition, Johnson describes his plan to involve the UN Security Council and obtain an affirmative resolution from Congress. [Presidential Speeches](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches) | Lyndon B. Johnson Presidency ## August 4, 1964: Report on the Gulf of Tonkin Incident [Play Video](https://d4q9blt8qjhv3.cloudfront.net/video/mp4/1Mb/spe_1964_0804_johnson.mp4)   Fast-forward 10 seconds 0:00 [ Download audio ](https://d4q9blt8qjhv3.cloudfront.net/audio/spe_1964_0804_johnson.mp3 "\(opens in a new window\)") Embed Your browser does not support the video tag. [Miller Center: August 4, 1964: Report on the Gulf of Tonkin Incident](https://uvamiller.prod.acquia-sites.com/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/august-4-1964-report-gulf-tonkin-incident) Download media * [Download Full Video](https://d4q9blt8qjhv3.cloudfront.net/video/mp4/1Mb/spe_1964_0804_johnson.mp4?download=1) * [Download Audio](https://d4q9blt8qjhv3.cloudfront.net/audio/spe_1964_0804_johnson.mp3?download=1) View Transcript ### Transcript My fellow Americans: As President and Commander in Chief, it is my duty to the American people to report th
at renewed hostile actions against United States ships on the high seas in the Gulf of Tonkin have today required me to order the military forces of the United States to take action in reply. The initial attack on the destroyer 'Maddox, on August 2, was repeated today by a number of hostile vessels attacking two U.S. destroyers with torpedoes. The destroyers and supporting aircraft acted at once on the orders I gave after the initial act of aggression. We believe at least two of the attacking boats were sunk. There were no U.S. losses. The performance of commanders and crews in this engagement is in the highest tradition of the United States Navy. But repeated acts of violence against the Armed Forces of the United States must be met not only with alert defense, but with positive reply. That reply is being given as I speak to you tonight. Air action is now in execution against gunboats and certain supporting facilities in North Viet-Nam which have been used in these hostile operations. In the larger sense this new act of aggression, aimed directly at our own forces, again brings home to all of us in the United States the importance of the struggle for peace and security in southeast Asia. Aggression by terror against the peaceful villagers of South Viet-Nam has now been joined by open aggression on the high seas against the United States of America. The determination of all Americans to carry out our full commitment to the people and to the government of South Viet-Nam will b
e redoubled by this outrage. Yet our response, for the present, will be limited and fitting. We Americans know, although others appear to forget, the risks of spreading conflict. We still seek no wider war. I have instructed the Secretary of State to make this position totally clear to friends and to adversaries and, indeed, to all. I have instructed Ambassador Stevenson to raise this matter immediately and urgently before the Security Council of the United Nations. Finally, I have today met with the leaders of both parties in the Congress of the United States and I have informed them that I shall immediately request the Congress to pass a resolution making it clear that our Government is united in its determination to take all necessary measures in support of freedom and in defense of peace in southeast Asia. I have been given encouraging assurance by these leaders of both parties that such a resolution will be promptly introduced, freely and expeditiously debated, and passed with overwhelming support. And just a few minutes ago I was able to reach Senator Goldwater and I am glad to say that he has expressed his support of the statement that I am making to you tonight. It is a solemn responsibility to have to order even limited military action by forces whose overall strength is as vast and as awesome as those of the United States of America, but it is my considered conviction, shared throughout your Government, that firmness in the right is indispensable today for peace; th
at firmness will always be measured. Its mission is peace. View Transcript Previous [July 24, 1964: Press Conference at the State Department](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/july-24-1964-press-conference-state-department) Next [August 5, 1964: Remarks on Vietnam at Syracuse University](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/august-5-1964-remarks-vietnam-syracuse-university) ### More Lyndon B. Johnson speeches [View all Lyndon B. Johnson speeches](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches?field_president_target_id\[35\]=35) [August 5, 1964: Remarks on Vietnam at Syracuse University](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/august-5-1964-remarks-vietnam-syracuse-university) video icon audio icon transcript icon [August 27, 1964: Acceptance Speech at the Democratic National Convention](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/august-27-1964-acceptance-speech-democratic-national) video icon audio icon transcript icon [October 9, 1964: Speech at the Jung Hotel, New Orleans](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/october-9-1964-speech-jung-hotel-new-orleans) audio icon transcript icon [October 18, 1964: Report to the Nation on Events in China and the USSR](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/october-18-1964-report-nation-events-china-and-ussr) video icon audio icon transcript icon [January 4, 1965: State of the Union](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/january-4-1965-state-union) video icon audio icon transcript icon [January 20, 1965: Inaugural Address](/the-presidency/presidential
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