Vietnam War pilot William Reeder recounts daring missions in new book

We Dared to Fly explores William Reeder’s experiences as an Army aviator in Vietnam.

Illustration by Frank Ramspott

By Novanka Laras and Adelina Indah

William S. Reeder, a decorated Army aviator, was at the forefront of aerial warfare during the Vietnam War. Flying both reconnaissance missions in fixed-wing aircraft and combat operations in attack helicopters, he played a crucial role in gathering intelligence and engaging enemy forces.

Reeder first shared his Vietnam War experience in Through the Valley (2016), where he detailed his time as the last American soldier captured during the war. Now, in We Dared to Fly, his third book, he revisits his earlier days as a pilot in Indochina, offering a gripping account of his missions from October 1968 to November 1969.

High-risk missions in Southeast Asia

During his service with the 131st Aviation Company, Reeder flew OV-1 Mohawk airplanes, conducting dangerous reconnaissance flights over Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. His primary mission was to gather intelligence and provide imagery to aid military operations, often deep within enemy-controlled territory.

Reeder describes three types of OV-1 Mohawk missions. The first involved visual reconnaissance and photo intelligence flights, carried out during daylight hours. Because of the high threat level, these planes were armed with rockets for self-defense. The second type of mission required specialized aircraft equipped for long-distance surveillance, capable of detecting moving targets from over 30 miles away. The third, and perhaps most perilous, involved nighttime flights at low altitudes, using infrared technology to track enemy activity. These missions were both stressful and highly dangerous, but Reeder flew all three.

The broader geopolitical context of the Vietnam War

Beyond recounting his personal experiences, Reeder provides a concise history of the Vietnam War, tracing superpower involvement in Indochina from the Geneva Conference in 1954 to the war’s conclusion in 1975. The Geneva Accords, intended to bring independence to Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, were ultimately ignored by all major powers. As tensions escalated, foreign military support increased.

“The Soviet Union got directly involved, supplying heavy weapons. North Vietnam increased its troop levels. Communist advances accelerated,” Reeder writes. “The United States began delivering arms, including T-6 attack aircraft to the Royal Lao Air Force.”

His account highlights how the conflict evolved into a proxy war, with Cold War superpowers fueling the violence in Southeast Asia.

Close calls and near misses in the cockpit

Reeder’s narrative is filled with high-stakes encounters, showcasing the dangers faced by pilots in Vietnam. He shares harrowing moments of near disaster, including one incident that nearly cost him his life due to a reckless mistake.

While flying near the Cambodian border, Reeder frequently buzzed a river valley at dangerously low altitudes for the thrill of it. One day, his wingman pointed out a steel cable strung across the river—something Reeder had not noticed.

“I was so low I flew right under it and didn’t see it,” he recalls. “Must have been strung between high trees. I figured the bad guys had seen my screw-off river runs and decided to snag themselves a dumb pilot and his airplane. I knew I was lucky to be alive. Stupidity personified.”

This near-miss was just one of many life-threatening encounters that made flying in Vietnam a daily gamble with fate.

A must-read for military history enthusiasts

We Dared to Fly is more than just a war memoir; it is a detailed and personal account of the realities of aerial combat in one of America’s most controversial conflicts. Reeder’s writing captures both the technical aspects of flying and the emotional toll of war, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in military aviation or Vietnam War history.

For readers seeking an in-depth look at the high-risk world of reconnaissance and combat missions, We Dared to Fly offers an unfiltered perspective from a pilot who lived through it. With gripping storytelling and historical insights, Reeder’s book stands as a testament to the courage and skill of the aviators who risked their lives in the skies over Vietnam.