Local author Gregory H. Vail presents the story of a World War I fighter pilot and a son’s pursuit of the Medal of Honor for his father. The Soft Mud of France is the inaugural work of Gregory Vail, a local area resident, who recently transplanted from Laguna Beach, California, back to his family’s 1765 Danby roots – some of which are described in the book. Vail was able to complete his work in the tranquility of Rupert.