They Dared to Fly is the true story of the young menwho daily risked their lives on classified surveillance missions deep behind enemy lines during the Vietnam War. The Army aviators and enlisted observers assigned to the 131st Surveillance Airplane Company, call sign Iron Spud, flew the Grumman OV-1 Mohawk into the jaws of death to capture timely intelligence for top military decision makers and senior national officials. This is the story of the author's assignment to that special mission unit, of the history that came before and the events that unfolded while he was there. The unit brought 18 of the Army's most sophisticated surveillance airplanes to Vietnam in 1966. In just over two years, three-quarters of those aircraft were lost, most to combat action in Laos and North Vietnam - some of the most hostile threat environments in aviation history. The Army quickly replaced losses because of the critical need for the information they collected. Very few downed crew members were recovered; most were killed or missing in action. The book is filled with riveting combat accounts and delivers a human-interest story, introducing a cast of fascinating characters and bringing the reader into their lives with many revealing personal anecdotes.
William Reeder is a retired U.S. Army colonel, highly decorated with extensive combat experience (Silver Star for gallantry, Valorous Unit Award, two Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroism, three Purple Hearts for wounds received in combat). In Vietnam, he was an AH-1 Cobra and AH-64 Apache attack helicopter pilot. He is also a former prisoner of war (POW) in Vietnam. Reeder holds a Ph.D. in history and does training and leadership development consulting with NATO Special Operations forces. He is a frequent speaker for veterans and other military and civic organizations.
Going to war raises many questions, not only about the circumstance of the danger but also the contours of one's response. In We Dared to Fly: Dangerous Secret Missions During the Vietnam War, William Reeder brings us into his compelling and formerly classified story of intelligence collection in Vietnam and how he both shaped and responded to events. The details of these missions have just been declassified. We must thank Reeder for his gripping narrative illuminating the risks, the rewards, but mostly, and thankfully, the faces of those who sacrificed. He brings us their story. As we know, history is about people more so than events. Thanks to Bill Reeder for introducing us to the history makers. --Major General (ret.) James "Spider" Marks, America's top intelligence officer for Operation Iraqi Freedom, the 2003 invasion of Iraq, inductee into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame, and military analyst frequently appearing on Fox News, CBS, MSNBC, and most recently, CNN
