what did the gulf of tonkin resolution allow president johnson to do?
The End The Gulf of Tonkin Incident August 2nd- The USS Maddox engages three North Vietnamese Torpedo Boats August 4th- USS Maddox and Turner Joy report further engagement in the Tonkin Gulf Gulf of Tonkin Resolution August 7th Congress passes a joint resolution that allows President Johnson to use authority to support the states of Southern Vietnam. This is not a declaration of war.