04/09/2026
On May 9, 1972, a U.S. Army Cobra gunship was shot out of the sky over Vietnam. Its pilot, William Reeder Jr., survived the crash, a brutal forced march along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, and years as a prisoner in Hanoi. His memoir, Through the Valley, tells the gripping story of combat aviation, captivity, and the resilience required to survive both the battlefield and the prison camp. It is a story that reveals the courage of one soldier while also honoring the sacrifices and struggles shared by many who served in Vietnam. Also Featuring Vietnam Bird Dog Pilot, Charlie Finch.