“”Little is known of the CIA’s heaviest lost of life in a single aviation incident during the Cold War. The story of the C-54 crash on Mt. Charleston in Nevada is one of many yet to be told about the silent heroes of the Cold War, the men and women working at Area 51 and their families, who accepted not knowing where they were or what they were doing. This well written account is typical of the times and sacrifices made to win the Cold War. This book emphasizes the need to get these stories told and the challenges facing the common citizens inspired to investigate and record the legacy of such heroes.”
– T. D. Barnes
President, Roadrunners Internationale and former Special Projects Team, Area 51
“Silent Heroes is a stark reminder to the realities of life for those who choose to serve our country in secret covert operations. Countless families have paid this price. It reminds each of us of a debt we owe to men and women for whom we will never know. These are the Silent Heroes of the Cold War.”
– Francis Gary Powers, Jr.
Founder, The Cold War Museum
“Meticulously researched and a deftly chronicled account, Silent Heroes is a fitting tribute to the thousands of men and women who have toiled in obscurity and secrecy, under restrictions so harsh that they were unable to tell their own families what they did or where they worked. Their sacrifices allowed the rest of us to sleep each night under an unseen umbrella of security and freedom. Kyril Plaskon provides a unique glimpse into the character of those who served and into the extraordinary lengths that have been taken to keep the rest of us from finding out what they did on our behalf.”
– George Knapp
Investigative Reporter, KLAS Channel 8 News
“Half of the book is Plaskon’s account of the flight and its aftermath; the other half is something quite different. Where the men who died might ordinarily be relegated to end notes, Plaskon offers a detailed biography of each individual, which reminds us that every casualty in any story, war, spy or otherwise, was a living, breathing human being with hopes and dreams and quirks until the moment his life was taken.”
– LaterNews.com
“The Cold War was the longest war in United States history. Because of the nuclear capabilities of our enemy, it was the most dangerous conflict our country ever faced. Those that won this war did so in obscurity. Those that gave their lives in the Cold War have never been properly honored.”
– Senator Harry Reid
“Silent Heroes provides a unique glimpse into the character of those who served and into the extraordinary lengths that have been taken to keep the rest of us from finding out what they did on our behalf.”
– George Knapp
Investigative Reporter, KLAS Channel 8 News
“An account of the highly classified 1955 plane crash atop Mt. Charleston [Nevada]. The passengers and crew who died in the crash were all associated with a top secret military program at the new testing facility that would later be known as Area 51.”
– City Life
“Absolutely fascinating, even for the non-history buffs, since the issues of excessive secrecy still resonate today, maybe even more than back then.”
– George Knapp
Investigative Reporter, KLAS Channel 8 News