This document is one of several readiness reports of activity by the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) after the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, in which the DRV attacked US Naval vessels on Aug. 2nd, 1964.

Message is as follows:

Spot report follow up NR two to 2/G11/VHN/R01-64
DRV naval attack/fient[sic] plans against porable[sic] Desoto
Mission
DRV vessel T-146 instrukted[sic] vessel T142 (gist) order
135 do not make war during the day – (pretend) to go
to the shore (then) return to Hon Me. TAP

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.

[edit on 4/12/2008 by Hal9000]