"He Didn't Say Good-Bye gives very deep insight into the lives of the Special Forces men and their families. Reading it, I had the sense of being in some places as things were happening. This novel has a good family image, which made it enjoyable to read and a mystery thriller feel, too. I would read it again. It is not a 'men' s only' book!" - Judy McLaughlin
"Did this happen? Could this happen? War causes many separations; some planned and some like this one, totally unexpected. Unexpected not only because of the mission, but also the way in which the author weaves his tale of romance, bravery, and political intrigue. I highly recommend this excellent read." - Robin Moore, author of The Green Berets,/P>
"Great book!" - Karen Roten,/P>
"This is one of those stories I never wanted to end. The characters became so alive that I wanted to meet them. It brings home the extraordinary circumstances that the greatest men of our country and their families have enduredthose whose lives epitomize the quintessence of bravery. After reading the first chapters, I knew that I would not leave the pages until I had read it all." - Valerie Biegler
"A winner. . . . Well-planned and executed. The military information is interesting and instructive to the outsider without being pedantic. Thank you for not over-whelming this civilian with acronyms. It was also very satisfying to the reader that you so neatly tied up all the loose ends, completing all the circles within circles in your characters' lives. No doubt others have told you this, but I'll bet you have a movie here." - Jane Faul,/P>
"I began reading this story very early in the morning and was so engrossed with the book that I never put it down until I finished it later that evening. I have never come across a story that held me as captive as this book did." - Jack Costello
"The dramatic story line and characters have authenticity. Would satisfy a wide audience. When I looked through Flaherty's bio, I could see why." - Norman E. Johnson
". . . a great read." - John McCallum
About the Author
Master Sergeant Raymond F. Flaherty (6 August 1927 to 11 September 2006), author of He Didn't Say Good-Bye, was the eldest of nine children. Raised in Boston, Ray attended public school until World War II interrupted his education. He served aboard ship with the Merchant Marine until he entered the U. S. Army in 1945. During the Korean War, he was a member of the 9th Airborne Ranger Company and saw ground combat with Company L, 15th Infantry Regiment. There he was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart Medals and his first award of the Combat Infantryman Badge. In 1962, Flaherty went to Laos on operation White Star as a team sergeant of an 'A' Detachment from the 7th Special Forces Group. His first tour in South Vietnam was as a team sergeant of an 'A' Detachment from the 1st Special Forces Group in 1963, where he was awarded his second Combat Infantryman Badge. Ray returned to South Vietnam in 1965 to serve as intelligence sergeant of the 4th Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade, then as operations sergeant of a 'B' Detachment of the 5th Special Forces Group. According to Col. Richard O. Sutton, M.D., author of the book Operation White Star, the character known as Flag is based on Master Sergeant Raymond F. Flaherty. Raymond F. Flaherty retired in 1967 as a master sergeant and made his home in Florida. He Didn't Say Good-Bye was his first novel to be published.
Master Sergeant Raymond F. Flaherty was born August 6, 1927, the oldest of nine children. Raised in Boston, Ray attended public school until WWII interrupted his education. He served aboard ship with the Merchant Marine until he entered the US Army in 1945. During the Korean War, he was a member of the 9th Airborne Ranger Company and saw ground combat with Company L, 15th Infantry Regiment. There he was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and Purple Heart medals and his first award of the Combat Infantryman Badge. In 1962, Flaherty went to Laos on Operation White Star as team sergeant of a Special Forces A Detachment from the 7th Special Forces Group. His first tour in South Vietnam was as a team sergeant of an A Detachment from the 1st Special Forces Group in 1963, where he was awarded his second Combat Infantryman Badge. Ray returned to South Vietnam in 1965 to serve as intelligence sergeant of the 4th Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade, then as operations sergeant of a B Detachment of the 5th Special Forces Group. Raymond F. Flaherty retired in 1967 as a master sergeant and now lives in Florida where he spends a good bit of his time writing. He Didn't Say Good-Bye is his first novel to be published. 
