William Reeder is a retired U.S. Army colonel. He is 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). He flew armed OV-1 Mohawk surveillance airplanes on his first tour of duty in Vietnam and AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters on his second. He was shot down on both tours. The second time, he was captured by the North Vietnamese Army and spent nearly a year as a prisoner of war. Later in his career, he flew the AH-64 Apache advanced attack helicopter. In 2014, he was inducted into the U.S. Army Aviation Hall of Fame.

Reeder holds a Ph.D. in history and supports the education and training of NATO special operations forces.

He is a frequent speaker for veterans and other military and civic organizations.

He lives in Seabeck, Washington.

"A serviceable memoir of a little-known corner of America's misadventure in Indochina."

"For an example of how well and interestingly a war memoir can be written, I recommend William Reeder Jr.'s new book, We Dared to Fly... It is a great story that Reeder tells well, and one I highly recommend."

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.

Publisher: Lyons Press

Pub date: 2024-11-19

Length: 272 pages