What was the gulf of tonkin resolution?

The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution enacted on August 10, 1964, was a joint resolution that the United States Congress passed on August 7, 1964, in response to the Gulf of Tonkin incident. The Gulf of Tonkin incident took place on August 2, 1964. The destroyer USS Maddox, while performing a signals intelligence patrol as part of DESOTO operations, was pursued by three North Vietnamese Navy torpedo boats of the 135th Torpedo Squadron. The Maddox fired 3 warning shots before the North Vietnamese boats attacked with torpedoes and machine gun fire. The Maddox expended over 280 3-inch and 5-inch shells in what was claimed to be a sea battle. One US aircraft was damaged, three North Vietnamese torpedo boats were allegedly damaged, and four North Vietnamese sailors were said to be killed, with six more wounded. There were no U.S. casualties.