Through the Valley: My Captivity in Vietnam is a personal and historical account of William Reeder Jr.’s experiences as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. Reeder, a Cobra gunship pilot, was shot down on May 9, 1972, near Ben Het, Vietnam, and survived a crash that killed his copilot. Despite severe injuries, he evaded capture for three days before being taken prisoner by the North Vietnamese. The book chronicles his grueling forced march to Hanoi, his imprisonment in the infamous Hanoi Hilton, and the various forms of physical and psychological torture he endured. Reeder’s narrative emphasizes themes of courage, hope, survival, and the profound human cost of war, making it a compelling read for those interested in war memoirs and historical accounts of the Vietnam War.
This book by Jason Collins provides a detailed history of the 20th Special Operations Squadron, known as the Green Hornets, and their role in the Vietnam War. It includes stories, photos, and factual documents to give a comprehensive view of the squadron's activities and the experiences of its personnel during the conflict.
In 'Extraordinary Valor,' William Reeder Jr. provides a detailed and personal account of the battle for Charlie Hill in April 1972. The book recounts the actions of MAJ John J. Duffy, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor, and the South Vietnamese 11th Airborne Battalion during the 1972 Easter Offensive. Reeder, who flew a Cobra attack helicopter in support of the battalion and was later a prisoner of war, uses reconstructed dialogue and personal recollections to depict the intense fighting and the bond between soldiers. The book is praised for its readability, extensive research, and its tribute to the bravery of the South Vietnamese soldiers[1][4].
In 'Secret Commandos,' John Plaster vividly describes the unique warriors of the Studies and Observations Group (SOG), the most secret elite US military unit during the Vietnam War. The book details their covert activities, including disrupting the main North Vietnamese supply route, rescuing downed helicopter pilots, and infiltrating deep into Laos and Cambodia. Despite being outnumbered and hunted by trackers and dogs, these commandos showed remarkable dedication and sacrifice in their missions.
Set in the closing months of World War II, 'Catch-22' is a satirical novel that follows the story of Captain John Yossarian, a bombardier stationed on the island of Pianosa off the coast of Italy. The novel explores the absurdity and inhumanity of warfare through Yossarian's attempts to escape his flying duties, thwarted by the bureaucratic rule known as 'Catch-22'. This rule creates a paradox where a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous missions, but if he requests to be relieved of duty, he is proven sane and thus ineligible for relief. The novel is known for its nonchronological structure, circular reasoning, and its critique of military bureaucracy and the illogical nature of war.
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COL (Ret.) William S. Reeder is a legendary aviator who has made contributions to survival, evasion, resistance, escape (SERE) training and the attack helicopter community. His 30-year career included two combat tours in Vietnam flying armed OV-1 Mohawk reconnaissance airplanes and AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters.
On May 9, 1972, he was leading a team of AH-1 Cobras supporting two Vietnamese ranger battalions and their American advisors. He was shot down, his co-pilot/gunner killed. Severely wounded, he evaded the enemy but was eventually captured spending nearly a year as a prisoner of war (POW).
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