FOIA: SIGINT Reflections of DRV Attacks on USS Maddox - 08/08/1964

relea00345.pdf
SIGINT Reflections of DRV Attacks on USS Maddox - 08/08/1964
Report outlining the initial attack on the USS Maddox in the Gulf of Tonkin which started on the 1st August 1964.
Document date: 1964-08-08
Department: NSA Headquarters, Ft. Meade, MD (DIRNSDA)
Author: SIGINT
Document type: Report
pages: 3


Archivist's Notes: This report of the initial attack on the USS Maddox in the Gulf og Tonkin on the 1st August 1964. 3 PT boats reportedly planned a torpedo attack on the USS Maddox. The 3 PT boats withdrew after being confronted with aircraft from the USS Ticonderoga. It is also reported that one of the PT boats sustained damage from one of the Maddox's 5 inch guns. The Maddox sustained no damage.

This document states that based on available information from SIGINT that it was unable to determine who ordered the attack from the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) on the USS Maddox during the Gulf of Tonkin Incident or when the order was given. As also reported in previous documents the three PT boats were tracking the vessel and on August 2nd, 1964 shot torpedoes at the Destroyer, which it was able to evade. The USS Maddox fired back and planes were sent in and fired on the PT boats.

The reports explains that prior to the incident that the DRV had complained about incursions by the US and South Vietnamese in the area and they were shelling two islands. According to the document, this could have provoked the attack on the USS Maddox.

The Gulf of Tonkin Incident prompted the US Congress to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which gave President Johnson authority to use military force to defend allies in the area and ultimately lead to the beginning of the Vietnam War.

Related FOIA Document:
FOIA: DRV attack on US Ships in Gulf of Tonkin; 2 - 4 August 1964
FOIA: Summary of DRV Naval Communications Revealing Pre-Planned Attacks on USS Maddox

Here are some links to other SIGINT reports during the Gulf of Tonkin Incident.

Related FOIA Documents:
FOIA: Desoto Support - 19 September 1964
FOIA: Desoto Support - 18 September 1964
FOIA: SIGINT Reflections of DRV Attacks on USS Maddox - 08/08/1964


Other Readiness Reports:
FOIA: SIGINT Readiness Bravo, Lantern Report Number 1
FOIA: 2/G11/VHN/R07-64 SIGINT Readiness Bravo Report Nr 2
FOIA: 2/G11/VHN/R08-64 SIGINT Readiness Bravo Lantern Report Nr 3
FOIA: 2/G11/VHN/R28-64 SIGINT Readiness Bravo Lantern Report Nr. 4
FOIA: 2/G11/VHN/R09-64 SIGINT Readiness Bravo Lantern Report Nr 5