This compelling memoir provides unparalleled insight into the CIA's most extensive covert operation and the men who conducted it.
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When the author was 15 years old he ran away from home, ending up in Havana, Cuba. His parents were not amused and not long after he returned he was enrolled in the Oak Ridge Military Academy for an attitude adjustment. There he learned discipline but he was still driven by a ramblin', rambunctious curiosity; summers he worked as a Myrtle Beach life guard. He went on to UNC/Chapel Hill, played lacrosse, flunked out, went with a couple of buddies down to Managua, Nicaragua but was chased out by what would become the Sandinistas. He flew to Florida, worked at a Miami hotel, returned to college for one more semester before dropping out to join the US Army.
LAST MAN OUT chronicles his Vietnam war experiences; Parker was among the first in as a 22 year old Second Lieutenant platoon leader in 1965 and he was the last to leave in 1975. In between he married, graduated UNC and joined the Central Intelligence Agency. His first CIA assignment was upcountry Laos where he led Hmong hillstribe guerrillas against two divisions of North Vietnamese main line soldiers. His detailed account of this top secret activity was published in hard back by the Naval Institute Press, titled CODENAME MULE - reprinted in paperback by St Martin's Press as COVERT OPS.
After para-military chores in Laos/Vietnam, Parker went on to serve undercover as a spy handler in the CIA's Directorate of Operations, retiring in 1992.
In the military he received the Bronze Star with "V" and the Purple Heart. In the CIA, he received two Certificates of Outstanding Service, a Certificate of Distinction and the Intelligence Medal.
He was called back to work for the CIA after 9/11, but has re-retired to Las Vegas, Nevada.
His next book is in the works.
LAST MAN OUT chronicles his Vietnam war experiences; Parker was among the first in as a 22 year old Second Lieutenant platoon leader in 1965 and he was the last to leave in 1975. In between he married, graduated UNC and joined the Central Intelligence Agency. His first CIA assignment was upcountry Laos where he led Hmong hillstribe guerrillas against two divisions of North Vietnamese main line soldiers. His detailed account of this top secret activity was published in hard back by the Naval Institute Press, titled CODENAME MULE - reprinted in paperback by St Martin's Press as COVERT OPS.
After para-military chores in Laos/Vietnam, Parker went on to serve undercover as a spy handler in the CIA's Directorate of Operations, retiring in 1992.
In the military he received the Bronze Star with "V" and the Purple Heart. In the CIA, he received two Certificates of Outstanding Service, a Certificate of Distinction and the Intelligence Medal.
He was called back to work for the CIA after 9/11, but has re-retired to Las Vegas, Nevada.
His next book is in the works.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent! Real people - Real PATRIOTS!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Codename Mule: Fighting the Secret War in Laos for the CIA (Naval Institute Special Warfare) (Hardcover)
It is good to see a "down to earth" book like this, coming from a "been there, done that" author. As far as I am concerned, this book should be mandatory reading for all high school history teachers. It would be nice to see the future generations "completly" educated. A 68-69 Udorn RTAFB, Thailand veteran.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
very indepth and detailed,
By A Customer
This review is from: Codename Mule: Fighting the Secret War in Laos for the CIA (Naval Institute Special Warfare) (Hardcover)
I truely enjoyed reading this book. I especially liked the character developments of each person and their envolvement during the Vietnam War. i believe that Mr. Parker has a great understanding of the incidents as relating to the CIAs' involement in the Vietnam War.
4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
An accurate description of family, life, and war in Laos.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Codename Mule: Fighting the Secret War in Laos for the CIA (Naval Institute Special Warfare) (Hardcover)
Close family members spent 4 years in Laos/Thialand during the war there. Mr. Parker's description reminded me so vividly of the slides and movies they brought home, as well as the life style they lived. If you want "shoot-em up", "blood and guts", "in the trenches" stories, this isn't it. But this IS a sincere and warm insight to the cultural and social norms of clandestine operatives and how their responsibilities affect their family and relationships. I connected with this book in a BIG way. I would love to read more of Parker's Laotian adventures! It reminded me of 'family.'
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