Answer:
The "Gulf of Tonkin Incident" was a sea engagement between the US Navy and the naval forces of North Vietnam. It led directly to increased military activity by the US in defense of the Republic of South Vietnam, as ordered by President Lyndon Johnson.
The incident consisted of two sea battles:
1. 02 August 1964
Between the 135th torpedo Squadron of the North Vietnamese Navy & the destroyer USS Maddox.
2. 04 August 1964
Between the "Tonkin Ghosts" (possibly no real enemy) and the US destroyers USS Maddox and USS Turner Joy.
At least 3 Torpedo Boats of the North Vietnamese Navy's 135th TB Squadron can be seen in a black & white photograph taken by a US Sailor aboard the destroyer USS Maddox as they were being attacked (charged by the boats) on 02 August 1964 in the Tonkin Gulf.
There is also a portrait (painting) of the same action, titled "Surface Action Starboard." The 135th Sqd did launch torpedoes and the Maddox expended nearly 300 5" shells at the charging torpedo boats. Maddox claimed sinking one boat & 1 25mm shell did strike the Maddox. F8 Crusaders (jets) also came into the attack and claimed sinking a boat.
The 04 August '64 action may have been a radar malfunction (Tonkin Ghosts) on the part of the destroyer USS Turner Joy.