One of USAID’s Best

Ollie Davidson, a legendary figure in the annals of USAID, had already traversed the far corners of the globe by age 20, journeying by jeep and bus through Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, the Nile, Sudan, and East Africa. His adventures rivaled those of any explorer, each destination shaping his lifelong commitment to service.

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Reknown Whistleblower Advocates

One of the most gratifying aspects of being invited to the National Whistleblower Day banquet on Capitol Hill was meeting not only supporters of my investigative memoir but also many dedicated advocates for whistleblowers. Among them were Jane Turner, the FBI whistleblower and founder of Whistleblower Network News; Stephen Kohn and David Colapinto, senior partners at Kohn, Kohn and Colapinto—an internationally renowned firm representing whistleblowers—and co-founders of the National Whistleblowing Center.

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DC Trip to Celebrate National Whistleblower Day

So many wonderful things happened this past week in DC as a result of my award-winning investigative memoir, "Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son's Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew." There’s so much to share, it will take several posts to cover all of the amazing things that happened. Our days and nights were filled with celebratory events, reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones, and I haven’t had a chance to share these moments.

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Featured Author at Buckeye Book Fair

I am truly excited about our upcoming journey in our RV to Wooster on November 7, 2026, for the 39th Annual Buckeye Book Fair at the Greystone Event Center. As an invited author, my book, "Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew," along with an exhibit, will be featured at the event. I’ll also have the privilege of participating in interviews and special engagements throughout the day.

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One Year Anniversary of Launch of “Because”

One year ago today, my investigative memoir, "Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew," made its debut at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington, KY. The launch was an unforgettable, jubilant celebration that brought together family, friends, and close to a hundred supporters—all gathered to honor the culmination of my 33-year odyssey: decades of archival and field research across two countries and ten years dedicated to writing.

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“Because” Earns NIEA Award

My investigative memoir, "Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew," achieved another milestone this past week, garnering its 11th literary accolade. The book was named a finalist in the Military Nonfiction category of the National Indie Excellence Awards, a respected honor within the self-publishing and independent press community. This latest recognition further affirms the memoir’s impact and its resonance with readers and critics alike.

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Event at Kenton County Library

I thoroughly enjoyed presenting my award-winning investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, at the Erlanger Branch of the Kenton County Library last night. The library is beautiful and features an excellent space for author events. I am especially grateful to Mary Burkey, the Program Coordinator, for her support. As always, the highlight of the evening was engaging with the insightful questions and comments from attendees.

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“Bec ause” Review in C overt Action Magazine

Dr. Jeremy Kuzmarov, who holds a Ph.D. in American history from Brandeis University, author of several books, and serves as the managing editor of Covert Action Magazine, reviewed my award-winning investigative memoir, "Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew," and wrote an article about it. I was impressed by how Dr. Kuzmarov enriched the review with additional research, citations, and photos of the C-45 aircraft, as well as Vietnam-era historical figures such as John Paul Vann, Byron Engle, Jerry Rose, and others.

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Justice Remains Elusive this Memorial Day

This Memorial Day, I pause to honor and remember all the brave men and women who gave their lives in defense of our Constitution and the freedoms we cherish as Americans. Their sacrifices are etched into the heart of our nation, and their courage is the foundation upon which our country stands. I also reflect on those whose stories remain hidden—service members whose deaths are still shrouded in secrecy by our own government.

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“Because” Wins 1st Place in Military & Front Lines Service to Others Non-Fiction Category

Earlier this year, I learned that my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, was shortlisted and ultimately became a finalist for the highly respected Chanticleer International Book Awards in the Military & Front Lines Service to Others Non-Fiction Category. Last night, I received the news that Because won first place.

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Warrior Turned Humanitarian

St. John's Episcopal Church in College Park, GA—the church where I was raised, where my father's funeral services were held, and where Brenda and I were married—recently sent me a booklet describing all the stained glass windows in the church, including one donated by our family and paid for with memorial funds after my father’s still CIA classified death in Vietnam in 1965.

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Event at Rockport Fulton/Corpus Christi KOA

Brenda and I stumbled upon a hidden gem as a venue for one of my author events. The Rockport Fulton/Corpus Christi KOA RV Park, with its welcoming spirit and scenic surroundings, proved to be the perfect setting. We had the pleasure of collaborating with Marie, the energetic and creative Activities Director, who went above and beyond to promote and prepare for the gathering.

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Event at Rockport Fulton Book Festival in Texas

The Rockport Fulton Book Festival overlooking Arkansas Bay in Texas has been one of the most rewarding and well-organized book festivals Brenda and I have attended. The festival began with an onstage interview about my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew. Later that afternoon, I joined a nonfiction panel with three other authors.

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Event in Lockhart, Texas

What a truly remarkable author event my cousin, Joni Foster, orchestrated at the Dr. Eugene Clark Library—the oldest library in Texas—located in charming Lockhart. The event space was both elegant and inviting, the library staff exceptionally gracious and helpful, and the audience engaged deeply with my investigative memoir, "Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father he Never Knew." The insightful questions that followed my talk and the enthusiastic reception, including engaging conversations, book signings, and heartfelt exchanges, made the experience truly unforgettable.

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Still Classified After 60 Years

It has been deeply moving to see how many people have connected with our fight to uncover the still-classified truth behind our father’s 1965 death in Vietnam — a man who died a whistleblower. My siblings and I are grateful to have Bradley P. Moss fighting alongside us in our lawsuit against the CIA. Moss is a partner at Mark S.

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Family

This morning I feel blessed for many reasons, but none more so than the bond between siblings — the kind that holds firm when life grows difficult and the road ahead feels uncertain. There is something unbreakable about brothers and sisters who choose to stay, who show up for each other through the hardest seasons, and who carry the weight together so no one has to bear it alone. "Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten." David Ogden Stiers

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Author & Son Sues the CIA

Our mother never got the answers she deserved. Widowed at 38 when our father was killed in a CIA Air America plane crash in Vietnam in 1965, she was left with nothing but his letters to piece together what had really happened. The unanswered questions haunted her for the rest of her life — she struggled with depression, and in her final years, dementia.

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First place Cover Contest!

I am deeply grateful to everyone who voted for my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Cover-Up and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, for Best Book Cover — and we won first place! A special thank-you to my wife, Brenda, whose initial design set the vision, and to Michelle Bradford Art, the cover designer for my publisher, Misspeak Foundation, for bringing it to life.

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Conference of Writers

I had a wonderful time at the 2026 Bluegrass Writers Coalition Conference! This was our largest gathering yet, and I thoroughly enjoyed serving on the conference committee, speaking on a nonfiction research and writing panel, promoting and signing my award-winning investigative memoir, Because, and connecting with fellow writers.

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Persuasive Prose

I have a passion for researching and writing what is called persuasive prose — writing that weaves together logical arguments, emotional appeals, and evidence to move readers toward a specific viewpoint or action. Attending the last BGWS open mic of the semester was a highlight, where I read my latest persuasive prose, reconnected with old friends, and met new ones.

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Event at Books by the Bay in Pensacola, FL

Of all the book festivals we’ve attended while promoting my award-winning investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Cover-Up and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, the Books by the Bay festival in Pensacola stands at the top of the list. From the stunning scenery of being right on the water, to the choice of indoor or outdoor venues, affordable booth pricing, strong promotion of authors’ books via social media, an abundance of volunteers, and complimentary lunches, snacks, and water — not to mention impressive foot traffic — this is a festival no author should miss.

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Event at the Carnegie Center

A heartfelt thank-you to the Carnegie Center — especially Jennifer, Carol, Logan, and Z — for their generous support in hosting my event with Vietnam War veteran Peter Berres. Together, we explored the lasting wounds of multigenerational trauma and the story behind my award-winning investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Cover-Up and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew.

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Lives Cut Short & Stolen

Of the 58,281 names inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, 33,103 were just 18 years old — barely adults, their lives cut short before they had truly begun. I am honored to join Vietnam War veteran Peter Berres for a timely conversation in recognition of National Vietnam War Veterans Day. The event takes place on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at the Carnegie Center — the very place where I began writing my award-winning investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew. Together, Peter and I will explore the profound multigenerational impacts of war. A Likely Story Bookstore will be on hand with copies available for signing.

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Event with Military History Group

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking before the Military History group at the Scott County Library, which meets bimonthly. Having grown up as an avid reader of military history, I knew this was the perfect audience for my award-winning investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew. I was delighted when Jan Schiffer and Thomas Crowl from my writing group, The Bluegrass Writers Coalition, made a surprise appearance. As always, the best part of these author events is the rich conversations that unfold after the presentation.

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“Burn the Mic” Event

Last night’s Burn the Mic event at the Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning was a wonderful evening of poetry. Kevin Nance was the featured author, sharing work from his latest collection, Smoke, published by Accents Publishing. His poems were compelling throughout, but the ones that stayed with me most were those drawn from his relationship with his father and his childhood.

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To the Remarkable Person We Met On a Florida Beach

Brenda and I are deeply grateful to the remarkable person we were fortunate to meet on a Florida beach, who prefers to remain anonymous. The bond we formed through our shared experiences of losing our fathers at a young age—and navigating the challenges and triumphs that followed—was both profound and inspiring. Your generosity in acquiring ten signed copies of my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, to share with those dearest to you, means more than words can convey.

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Event at Anderson County Street Fair

Yesterday, the Anderson County High School Indoor Street Fair turned out to be an unexpectedly rewarding experience. I signed and sold an entire box of books, but even more meaningful were the conversations I had with several fascinating people who felt compelled to have a copy of my award-winning investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, either for themselves or a loved one.

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People's Choice Book Cover Contest - Bluegrass Writers Coalition

People's Choice Book Cover Contest

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Invitation to National Whistleblower Appreciation Day on Capitol Hill

Yesterday, I received an official invitation to be honored, alongside my father, for our whistleblowing—an experience I chronicle in my award-winning investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew. The ceremony will be held during National Whistleblowing Appreciation Day on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on July 30th. I am deeply honored by this recognition and look forward to the celebration, especially with Brenda by my side.

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