Why did the USS Maddox arrive at the Gulf of Tonkin in August 1964? thanks! :)

In the early morning hours of August 2, 1964, the crew of Maddox received an intelligence report suggesting that three North Vietnamese patrol boats had been dispatched to attack it. The naval ship's captain, John J. Herrick, initially ordered Maddox to head out to sea, hoping to avoid confrontation.

the war powers resolution (also known as the war powers resolution of 1973 or the war powers act) (50 u.s.c. 1541–1548) is a federal law intended to check the president's power to commit the united states to an armed conflict without the consent of the u.s. congress.

explanation: