In the early stages of writing this book, like a good military man, I gave the endeavor a mission name: “The Hudson Project,” based on the first agent code name my father was given - Agent Alexander Hudson. 

As my research and writing continued and the book’s storyline matured, I realized that I needed to develop a proper title for the book. The initial short list included Leif’s Story, The Great Dane, Agent Hudson, Agents Hudson and Bech, and The Carpetbagger. 

But then I began to write the chapter that describes my father’s nighttime parachute drop into Nazi-occupied Denmark in October of 1944 as OSS Agent Jorgen Bech and the title presented itself to me…

Agent Bech had just completed his first operational parachut jump into occupied Europe, landing, in the dark of night in the farm yard of Olaf and Ragla Gustovson on the outskirts of the town of Skive, Denmark.  Knowing that the Danish Resistance reception party should be near by - and possibly the Germans, Bech moved stealthy out into the darkness...moments later...

"Bech instinctively stopped and turned towards the approaching threat, hearing what to his trained ear sounded like several people crossing the gravel road and moving through the tree line. Before he had time to react, Bech clearly heard the distinctive sound of a rifle’s bolt-action being brought back and then forward, inserting a bullet into the firing chamber. Someone nearby had just prepared their weapon and was capable of firing it. 

Bech froze in place, instinctively lowered himself further behind the aluminum cylinder to make himself a smaller target while he drew his pistol up and forward to the ready position. Several seconds passed when a voice from the darkness of the tree line spoke.“Hvern er du?”—“Who are you?” 

This was clearly not the code phrase Bech was hoping to hear. Using the designated mission code phrase the OSS handler had given him prior to boarding their aircraft earlier that evening, he responded to the shapeless voice emanating from the darkness.

"“Onward to Valhalla,” he said and waited, moving his index finger onto the trigger. A few agonizing seconds passed and then the voice from the darkness responded with: “Where Odin awaits his Viking sons.” 

Hearing the proper response code phrase, relief washed over Bech. He relaxed his tense muscles, slowly stood up and lowered his weapon. The perspiration from the stress and exertion suddenly began to cool on his skin in the damp night air—he had arrived and was safe for the time being, his rendezvous with the Danish Resistance party a success."