Gulf of Tonkin -- On August 4th, 1964 two American destroyers, the Maddox and the Turner Joy, were stationed in the Gulf of Tonkin when they were attacked by the North Vietnam gun boats. The American destroyers eventually sank the boats that had attacked them. It was unclear as to whether the attack was unprovoked or if the U.S. had violated North Vietnamese territorial waters. What had caused the attack was as unclear to the people in Washington, and President Johnson was taking no chances. Johnson addressed Congress and ended up receiving a resolution that would allow him to authorize any means necessary to protect the U.S. By receiving the resolution Johnsoncould authorize attacks on North Vietnam without formally declaring war.