We Dared to Fly: Dangerous Secret Missions During the Vietnam War
We Dared to Fly is the true story of the young men who risked their lives daily on classified 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.

The story is the author’s account of his assignment to that special mission unit, of the history that came before and the events that unfolded while he was there. When he arrived, three-quarters of the unit’s aircraft had been 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. Some downed crew members were recovered; most were killed or missing in action.

In recognition of the exceptional sacrifices made during the war, the unit received the Valorous Unit Award for “gallant actions and extraordinary heroism.”

The book is filled with riveting combat accounts. It is also a human-interest story, bringing the reader into the lives of this group of fascinating brave men.

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We Dared to Fly: Dangerous Secret Missions During the Vietnam War
We Dared to Fly is the true story of the young men who risked their lives daily on classified 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.

The story is the author’s account of his assignment to that special mission unit, of the history that came before and the events that unfolded while he was there. When he arrived, three-quarters of the unit’s aircraft had been 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. Some downed crew members were recovered; most were killed or missing in action.

In recognition of the exceptional sacrifices made during the war, the unit received the Valorous Unit Award for “gallant actions and extraordinary heroism.”

The book is filled with riveting combat accounts. It is also a human-interest story, bringing the reader into the lives of this group of fascinating brave men.

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We Dared to Fly: Dangerous Secret Missions During the Vietnam War

We Dared to Fly: Dangerous Secret Missions During the Vietnam War

by William Reeder Jr.
We Dared to Fly: Dangerous Secret Missions During the Vietnam War
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We Dared to Fly: Dangerous Secret Missions During the Vietnam War

We Dared to Fly: Dangerous Secret Missions During the Vietnam War

by William Reeder Jr.

Overview

We Dared to Fly is the true story of the young men who risked their lives daily on classified 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.

The story is the author’s account of his assignment to that special mission unit, of the history that came before and the events that unfolded while he was there. When he arrived, three-quarters of the unit’s aircraft had been 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. Some downed crew members were recovered; most were killed or missing in action.

In recognition of the exceptional sacrifices made during the war, the unit received the Valorous Unit Award for “gallant actions and extraordinary heroism.”

The book is filled with riveting combat accounts. It is also a human-interest story, bringing the reader into the lives of this group of fascinating brave men.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781493085309
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date: 11/19/2024
Pages: 272
Product dimensions: 9.10(w) x 6.10(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

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.

What People are Saying About This

The VVA Veteran

"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."

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