By the mid-1960s ever-larger numbers of US troops poured into South Vietnam. Until this time American involvement was dominated by US air power which struck at North Vietnam. However, after several attacks on US airbases it was decided that more protection was required. It seemed that the South Vietnamese were incapable of providing adequate security. March 1965 saw the beginning of the American ground war when 3,500 Marines were dispatched to South Vietnam.
