Through the Valley is the captivating memoir of the last U.S. Army soldier taken prisoner during the Vietnam War. A narrative of courage, hope, and survival, Through the Valley is more than just a war story. It also portrays the thrill and horror of combat, the fear and anxiety of captivity, and the stories of friendships forged and friends lost.
In 1971 William Reeder was a senior captain on his second tour in Vietnam. He had flown armed, fixed-wing OV-1 Mohawks on secret missions deep into enemy territory in Laos, Cambodia, and North Vietnam on his first tour. He returned as a helicopter pilot eager to experience a whole new perspective as a Cobra gunship pilot. Believing that Nixon's Vietnamization would soon end the war, Reeder was anxious to see combat action. To him, it appeared that the Americans had prevailed, beaten the Viet Cong, and were passing everything over to the South Vietnamese Army so that Americans could leave.
Less than a year later, while providing support to forces at the besieged base of Ben Het, Reeder's chopper went down in a flaming corkscrew. Though Reeder survived the crash, he was captured after evading the enemy for three days. He was held for weeks in jungle cages before enduring a grueling forced march on the Ho Chi Minh Trail, costing the lives of seven of his group of twenty-seven POWs. Imprisoned in the notorious prisons of Hanoi, Reeder's tenacity in the face of unimaginable hardship is not only a captivating story, but serves as an inspiration to all.
In Through the Valley William Reeder shares the torment and pain of his ordeal, but does so in the light of the hope that he never lost. His memoir reinforces the themes of courage and sacrifice, undying faith, strength of family, love of country, loyalty among comrades, and a realization of how precious is the freedom all too often taken for granted. Sure to resonate with those serving in the armed forces who continue to face the demands of combat, Through the Valley will also appeal especially to readers looking for a powerful, riveting story.
Harrowing and intense account of one soldier's capture by the North Vietnam Army during the Vietnam War.
It's 1972, and William Reeder, a senior captain on his second tour of duty, is flying a helicopter and fighting in the battle of a base at Ben Het. His chopper gets shot down, and Reeder is soon captured. What follows is a memoir of a truly grueling death march from South Vietnam to the communist North, including several occasions of captivity under shockingly inhumane conditions.
The first fifth of the book reads a bit like a report, and had me worried - it's a dry rattling off of place names, military hardware, and military lingo. But as soon as the helicopter is shot down, the story takes a deeply personal turn, and becomes very engaging.
For me it was also interesting to read about someone who believed the war had meaning, that it in some way was 'worth it'. Reeder writes a bit about patriotism, and his palpable disgust at communism, which to me comes across as overly simplistic, but he also shows a lot of heart on a more personal, human level. However badly he is treated (and dear lord, he is treated horribly), he keeps up an impressive level of optimism.
Overall it is a touching, humane story about survival, both mentally and physically.
(Kindly received a review copy from Naval Institute Press through NetGalley)
Through the Valley is an impossible tale to rate. Is it perfect? No, it's not perfect - there are a few grammatical errors and some of the reconstructed dialogue feels forced - but that's not what is important in this story.
This is the true story of the the last American Army POW's capture and struggle to survive his imprisonment during the Vietnam War. There are no word to describe the prisoners loyalty to each other and their countey.
For me this raises a lot of the same emotions as Man's Search for Meaning. What do you do when all outside hope is gone?
A must read but have your tissues handy. Thanks to the Naval Institute Press and Net Galley for my copy to read and review.
I've never been much of a reader, however I've always had a heavy intrigue in historical events...especially military history. Through The Valley was an outstanding account of the events of POW's during Vietnam as told by Colonel William Reeder. I had difficulty finding stopping points as I read through the unbelievable trials and tribulations these Patriots endured during their captivity and even later in life after their long awaited freedom from captivity. If you are looking for a book that will change your perspective on life and readjust your mind frame to view life in that "every day is a gift", well...this book will certainly provide that for you.
Captain Reeder returns for his second Vietnam tour in a new airframe, the Cobra, but his arrival precedes the start of the 1972 Easter Offensive. He's assigned to the Central Highlands performing more classified missions with SF and SOTG. He's shot down escorting an ammo resupply into a SF camp that's surrounded and eventually evacuated.
His ordeal is only beginning as he's wounded and escaping and evading. He's captured after three days and forced march into Cambodia into a squalid camp that's undetectable. And so his hell on earth commences for a year. Quite the story of perseverance, luck, and camaraderie. His story of moving ahead with his life after the trauma of captivity is impressive. It was not easy.
It is with no small hesitation that I offer a review of this holy book, a record of the author's captivities, wounds, torturing walks, tropical diseases, dietary abnormalities, all in the service of the United States and his fellow warriors. I have read many memoirs written by our military men who were in Vietnam, but this is the first detailing month after month of captivity, all of it excruciating, sometimes made more human by men who carried him piggyback in the jungle, thereby saving his life. While the end is known because he lived to write the book, the detail often exhausted my ability to absorb what he described. Unlike many similar authors, he talks about the adjustments he had to make to return to what passes for normal society. Initially he refuses to tell his story, until an invitation comes which he can't turn down, after which he talks often, crediting that experience with helping him deal with his many traumas. Also he talks about his marriages, relating failure to things he learned or didn't learn in his captivity. Additionally he gives vignettes of most of the service men who loomed large in his experience. Everything is painstakingly documented, annotated, indexed. I was an eighth grade school teacher, and I would not recommend this book for that age group. I was also a physician, and I would enthusiastically make this book required reading for men and women who are training to be therapists. I would try to make my class a safe place, where students could tell their stories and be healed. I am struck again that men do deeply love one another in bonds forged in combat, something that the rest of us can probably never understand. But here we have a gift, sanctified in blood, sweat, tears, parasites, snakes, shit, and death. I am grateful for the recounting of the events, but also for the courage it has taken to undertake again in memory the horrors.
Amazing, harrowing tale of the last Army helicopter pilot shot down in Vietnam.
When Capt. Bill Reeder was shot down in early May 1972, most of America assumed that the war in Vietnam was over. For Reeder and many other POWs, the truth was more terrifying. Until his release in late March 1973, Reeder endured hardships including near starvation, broken bones (including a broken back that occurred during his helicopter crash), malaria, stomach parasites, a forced march from South Vietnam to Laos to North Vietnam and other forms of physical and psychological torture in some of the most inhumane conditions imaginable.
Along the way he saw some of his POWs die, but with the help of his fellow captives, including some brave South Vietnamese prisoners as well as other Americans, Reeder was able to endure all the way to his final transfer to the infamous Hanoi Hilton. Finally, at long last, in March 1973, Reeder and the other POWs were released as the United States came to terms with North Vietnam.
Reeder will recounts everything from a firsthand perspective. And he is the first to say that as bad as he had it, other endured far worse. In the Hanoi Hilton he meets Bill Thompson who was the first POW taken by North Vietnam in March 1964 and who spent 9 years in captivity. His is just one of many tales of heroism in this book.
You get everything here from the missions leading up to the one where Reeder was shot down, to his capture, to his forced march through the jungle without shoes, to his captivity in a tiny bamboo cage in Laos, to the malaria and other disease and malnutrition. But through it all Reeder has a few doubts, but never really gives up hope that he will get home to see his wife and young children.
A worthwhile read for anyone interested in American history and, particularly, the history of America and the Vietnam War.
William Reeder Jr. Has shared in his book the incredible story of his life, before, during, and after his capture by the North Vietnamese in Vietnam. It must have been hard to tell and even harder to remember. Thank you Mr. Reeder for sharing your story with us.
This story is very personal, laying out his feelings, his failings, his challenges and his successes. It is a very realistic account. It tugged at my heart to read of the horrible treatment he received in captivity. It is well written and tells the story of those also in captivity with him. You might just need a few Kleenex to read those parts, especially the march to North Korea.
His story tells how brave and patriotic our soldiers were even amid the public war protests. He even tells the story of the few that collaborated with the enemy, received special treatment and were never punished for it .
The statistics about the divorces among the POW'S is sad as are the physical and mental problems of many returning from the war. I really liked that at the end of the book he told a little about each of the group of POW'S and their lives after returning.
The book was interesting, and it was historical. It told a story that kept you turning the pages, but in doing so you were learning about the war, the country and the people. Even in Captivity he wrote about the natural wonders of the country and the beauty he saw.
This is a book that all should read. I highly recommend it.
Thanks to William Reeder Jr., The Naval Institute Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of the book for an honest review.
I learned about the author and this book from an article in the Wall Street Journal. I grew up with the Vietnam War and the daily reports on the three national evening news programs of U.S. dead and enemy dead totals. Statistical numbers that glossed over the lives shattered, futures never to be. It was a war to fight the communistic dominoes in south east asia and as it turned out, a war increasingly questioned by this country's leaders but momentum, pride and a military agenda created its own justification for continuing the toll. Always with optimistic outcomes coming from the Pentagon. I had a draft card and a menacingly low lottery number when it was my turn but fortunately the war was winding down along with the draft. With this background I thought this is a book I wanted, needed to read. The author begins his journey by explaining his view of waging war in Vietnam, defeating the enemy, protecting your allies and fellow soldiers. But that changes when he is shot down, injured and eventually captured by the Viet Cong. And eventually begins his journey to a POW camp in Hanoi. The core of this story starts with this journey as he describes his mental and physical trials to stay alive, encounters with other POWs and sacrifices he and others made. Some who died after their capture on the journey and in prison. One of the strengths of this book is it is not preachy. But an illustration of personal endurance, spirit, sacrifice and gratitude that we all need to be reminded about occasionally. Others have had a harder path.
Trough the Valley – My Captivity in Vietnam By William Reeder Jr, is an enchanting book were the Colonel and US war veteran shares his captivating memoir about Americas war with Vietnam. It aptly reflects that war is not good for anyone and both sides pay a heavy penalty for the conflict. The wounds inflicted during the war on the soldiers are gruesome and remain in their mind as flashback and often haunt for life. Their friends and families are also are gripped with fear and frenzy and suffer the same anxiety and pain during the war and at times after that. William Reeder shares the tormenting tale of his miraculous survival in the helicopter crash, in the dense jungle, as a captured prisoner of war and time spent at the torturous jungle prison camps in Vietnam. He outpours his heart and tough resolve during his times of distress and upliftment. His story outlines to be strong during deficit, have hope and how to survive despite all the odds. A story of blood, wounds and recuperation mixed with true grit and determination. Being from an Army Family, I can fully relate to him and his feelings. I congratulate him for sharing such a gripping story and inspiring many like me. The cover of the book looks so apt and gives a green and gloomy look, reflecting the background of the story. Kudos to Naval Institute Press for publishing this wonderful book.
Never knew much about the latter stages of the Vietnam War. This book describes the journey of the last Army Vietnam POW who survived. It's a bit of an intense journey as his helicopter goes down, he is captured, and then endures an excruciating imprisonment in jungle camps and then an even more desperate forced march into North Vietnam. The journey has parallels to the story in Unbroken in terms of the limits of human endurance. An easy read that quickly draws one into the story. Key excerpts below.
- There are good men everywhere. It's the governments, the systems, the leaders that are bad. It's communism that sucks, not the people of North Vietnam. They're not so different from the South. Not so different from me. - The war protestors at home never bothered me. In fact, I took pride in fighting communism in this far corner of the earth so Americans could have the right to protest in the streets.
This one stepped a little outside my predominate range of what I read for pleasure, but is certainly a topic I am passionate about.
As a former attack pilot myself, and a student of some of the training that was implemented as a result of the experiences of COL (ret) Reeder and others, I always seek out opportunities to hear the stories of men like him. One can't help but wonder how they would fare if placed in the same positions.
I have read other accounts, first hand and otherwise, in addition to having had opportunities to speak face to face with the men that have lived through similar experiences and I can only imagine the mental/emotional aspect of facing and capturing all those memories to share.
That being said, I found the personal narrative approach a smooth vehicle to tell this tale. It is a compelling story and I am glad to have been able to share in it.
It may not be for everyone, but for the right reader it is absolutely worth the time.
William Reeder walks you through his agonizing journey across Vietnam to a POW camp, mostly on foot. This story is one of resilience and the human spirit. There are numerous examples of selfless sacrifice from people he meets that are simply awe inspiring. Imagining a walk in his shoes, or lack thereof for most of the book, encourages me in my life that against all odds, there is still hope. His optimism and faith in God throughout his journey gives readers a model for how they can approach their difficult circumstances.
A touching story of Colonel Bill Reeder’s time as a POW in North Vietnam. It breaks my heart to read of the horrible treatment and torture these young soldiers endured while many Americans were living in comfort here in the states. And yet when these Vietnam vets returned home they were spit on and never honored as they should have been. We all owe them our eternal respect.
Bill Reeder’s book is the story of an Army Cobra pilot shot down in 1972 and his period of captivity by the North Vietnamese. It is a story of survival and faith, plainly told. Survival of brutal conditions and sadistic treatment and faith in his fellow prisoners, American and Vietnamese, faith in his country and faith in God. I can’t recommend this book enough.
Gritty personal narrative of a pilot's journey through the prison camp system in North Vietnam. Reading this makes one forget about nearly any trivial problems in life. Reeder conveys the pain, the anguish, and the fear of his ordeal. Great read.
There have been a great history and documented writing on Vietnam. Reeder continues the story of a dark time and the horror of Vietnam. Than you writing a fine story that holds you tight. Highly recommend.
I liked this book, but had touble with the narrator. For some reason I found him really unsympathetic. Something about the way he wrote I guess, as well as some of his actions.
Quite a fascinating story, but I couldn’t get into it in the way I had hoped I would.
Sometimes I read a book like this and I wonder what the hell is wrong with people. I'm not speaking of the author but the general ability of people to be so utterly cruel to others. The author talks of his military service and his time as a POW in Vietnam.
Such a great story. COL Reeder is a HERO and this book tells his tale. The mind over matter in this story is unbelievable, especially his able to stay positive.
Excellent memoir. We saw the author speak about his experiences recently and after that I wanted to read his book. My dad would have really liked this one.
The story is a simple read, the events anything but that. At times the authors simplicity in his retelling takes away from the immensity of what he went through. I find it hard to imagine spending a day at home with a broken back, never mind in the jungle disease ridden and starved among other things. Incredible stuff. Worth a read for sure.
I met Bill at an Army Aviation event in Atlanta shortly after the release of his book. In "real life" Bill is charming, humble and tells a good story about his time spent as a young rodeo cowboy. In his tremendously well written book, he has authored a spellbinding account of his experiences as a POW. What Teddy Roosevelt expressed about "manhood," Bill Reeder exemplified in his service to and sacrifice for country. He is a true American hero and his story should inspire readers from all walks of life.