Military Model Scene

Title: On Parr
Author: Ken Murray
Publisher: Changing Lives Press
ISBN: 978-0-99043-969-1

The sub-title tells you just what this book has in store for your reading pleasure, 'The Stunning Combat Missions oa American Fighter Ace Colonel Ralph Parr'. A 250-page hardback book from US publisher, Changing Lives Press, and author Ken Murray, who had the opportunity to speak with Ralph Parr about his life in the couple of years before his passing in 2012.
While it starts well forward in his career, with the first chapter going through his experiences of delivering napalm attacks in Vietnam, flying F-4 Phantoms, before going back to his youth, when his father was in the US Navy. His earliest flight was strapped to his father's knee at the age of just five. Then it goes on through to a total of 16 chapters, plus 3 appendices. Having got his wish to join the Air Force, rather than the Navy, and he managed to qualify and be posted to fly the P-38 Lightning in the Pacific in the final stages of WW2. A few years later he was able to do two tours in the Korean War, during which time he became a double-ace, with 10 confirmed kills. His tenth and final kill was on the very last day before the armistice came into force, though the target in that particular case was a touch controversial. There are a couple of situations described of his time in Korea, flying the F-86 Sabre where while he was a skilled pilot, he also had his slice of luck and could have easily become a casualty. Apparently it was also the source of a manoeuvre that was to be adapted for a scene in the famous film, 'Top Gun'. If combat in 2 wars was not enough, he went on to command and fly F-4 Phantoms in Vietnam, where he proved to be not only a fine pilot, but an excellent leader as well. A later posting to Iran didn't involve flying, but was clearly a dangerous assignment where he needed to be very aware of assassination attempts. He had a 34 year long Air Force career, though was finally invalided out after a bad fall from the roof of his house. He remained in touch with young pilots who were clearly keen to learn from his experience.
A natural pilot and leader, this is a fascinating story about a well respected pilot, who flew combat missions in 3 wars. It's a really good read, and a great story. The appendices detail his awards and decorations, along with his education and service. It's a well written book, and a great record of Colonel Parr's service career, thanks to the opportunity the author had to talk and take notes with the man himself over a two-year period. A fine read.
Thanks to author Ken Murray for our review copy.

Robin.