Valleys of DeathBy: Bill Richardson, Kevin Maurer "Richardson never pulls his punches in these vivid descriptions." Publishers Weekly Caught in the Chinese counterattack at Unsan one of the deadliest American battles of the Cold War Era Colonel Bill Richardson led an Alamo like defense of the few survivors before being taken prisoner. The North Koreans marched them through sub zero weather without food, shelter, or medical attention to the area known as Death Valley.