On February 24, 1965, United States President Lyndon B. Johnson authorized the launch of Operation ROLLING THUNDER against North Vietnam. ROLLING THUNDER, the longest bombing campaign ever conducted by the United States Air Force, lasted from 1965 to 1968. (Tilford, “Operation ROLLING THUNDER”). There were several reasons why President Johnson chose to launch a widespread bombing campaign against North Vietnam. at that time. The United States wanted to prevent the spread of communism by enforcing its containment via President Harry S. Truman's domino theory. (Cunningham) The United States wanted to support South Vietnam's right to self-government, free elections, and freedom from religious persecution. (Fasanaro) President Johnson felt compelled to retaliate against increasingly aggressive North Vietnamese communist forces following the Gulf of Tonkin incidents of July and August 1964 and the attack on the American base at Pleiku on February 7, 1965. (Tilford, “Strategic Bombing”) President Lyndon B. Johnson was right to order the U.S. military to bomb North Vietnam. The American bombing of North Vietnam was primarily aimed at preventing the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. America's fear of communism was rooted in history and historical documents. After World War II and the start of the Cold War, the United States began a foreign policy designed to contain the spread of communism. On March 12, 1947, President Harry S. Truman announced the Truman Doctrine to support any country facing "armed minorities or external pressures." The Truman Doctrine led to the policy of containing communism and became a vital part of United States foreign policy. (Pieroaoli) President Dwight...... middle of paper ...... in the 1950s, a primary goal of all United States presidents was to contain the spread of communism. Many treaties and organizations around the world revolve precisely around this subject. Much of the United States' financial aid and personnel were devoted to the cause of preventing communism and ensuring peace in Southeast Asia. With the Gulf of Tonkin incidents and the 1965 attack on the American base in South Vietnam, President Johnson perceived the increasing aggression of the North Vietnamese communists. Johnson was frustrated with the progress of the war in Vietnam when he ordered Operation ROLLING THUNDER, America's longest bombing campaign. (Tilford, “Strategic Bombing: Vietnam War”) With this order, President Johnson had hoped to counter Communist aggression and was therefore justified in taking the next step against the North Vietnamese..