Administration goal: Preserve the non-Communist South Viet Nam regime. Obtain Congressional authorization of American military fighting troops in Vietnam rather than just advisors
Action: USS Destroyer Maddux shoots warning shots at three North Vietnamese torpedo boats that had been monitoring it. Torpedo boats return fire. The Maddux unleashes nearly three hundred shells at the boats – killing four and injuring six. No US casualties, no damage to the Maddux (though a bullet hole was discovered), and damage to one airplane. Two days later this was followed by a non-existent second clash with North Vietnamese boats.
Public Reason: North Vietnamese aggression and the need to respond.
Honesty of the public reason: The US initiated the battle at sea. The US fabricated the second battle at sea The US military? Administration? Who? Lied to obtain Congressional authorization
Outcome: Congressional authorization and a lengthy, fruitless, and losing war.
