On August 2, 1964, USS Maddox was conducting an intelligence-gathering mission in the volatile waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. The patrol had been uneventful so far, and foul weather had been the only rival for the 2,200-ton beast armed with a main battery of six 5-inch guns and more than 40 additional guns. But peace was short-lived.
Under the cover of darkness and the crash of waves, the distant sound of boats approaching turned higher. Maddox first ignored them, but the destroyer suddenly detected torpedoes slicing through the water. An instant later, three North Vietnamese patrol boats were sighted, closing in fast.
The crew scrambled into action, their training kicking in as they fought to defend their ship against the unseen enemy. Maddox then began maneuvering at top speed while the rival boats approached from behind at over 50 knots.
A warning shot was fired, but the enemies kept pressing forward. The Sumner-class destroyer then opened fire without hesitation and tore two boats apart with her powerful 5-inch guns. A third one then fled the scene as soon as air support showed up.
The skirmish had ended, but it kickstarted the Vietnam War, and soon enough, more torpedo boats were coming Maddox’s way…