The President’s TV Address to the Nation Regarding the North Vietnam 

Attack on U.S. Ships from the Fish Room of the White House 

August 4, 1964 

My Fellow Americans: As President and Commander in Chief, it is my duty 

to the American people to report that 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 2nd, 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 Vietnam 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 Vietnam 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 Vietnam will be 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. That firmness will always be measured. Its mission is 

peace.