Covert Ops: The CIA's Secret War In Laos [Mass Market Paperback]

James E. Parker Jr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 1997

Uncommon war. Uncommon bonds.

In 1972, U.S. soldiers battle the North Vietnamese. Behind the headlines, a secret war rages in Laos. Sky, a close knit cadre of daredevil CIA agents, spearheads a daring operation. These gutsy secret agents direct a fearless force of Thai mercenaries and native Hmong tribespeople-- fighting the enemy toe-to-toe.

Now Sky veteran James Parker-- codename "Mule"-- reveals the untold story of the covert war in Laos. Parker takes you inside the often mind-boggling world of extraordinary men living and dying on the edge. Covert Ops captures the brutal training and ferocious land and air battles of Air Force Ravens, Air America, and young Hmong pilots. Above all, this first-person account shows the remarkable bonds formed between American soldiers and a courageous people-- who valiantly fought their fierce enemies to the very end.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Refreshingly honest."-- Behind the Lines

"A must read for all veterans proud to have served their country."-- Military magazine

About the Author

James E. Parker, Jr., was born in North Carolina in 1942. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he served as a U.S. Army infantry platoon leader in South Vietnam from 1965 to 1966.

In the summer of 1970 he was recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency's clandestine service and sent to fight the covert war in Laos. After Laos he was assigned to the CIA unit in the delta of South Vietnam. Prior to the April 1975 closing of the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, Parker helped evacuate Vietnamese CIA agents and was one of the last Americans out of Vietnam. He continued as an intelligence officer, working abroad in Africa and Asia. Now retired, he lives in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (November 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312963408
• ISBN-13: 978-0312963408
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #605,713 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Military > Intelligence & Espionage
  • #25 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Asia > Southeast Asia
  • #37 in Books > History > Asia > Laos

More About the Author

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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Page Out Of History, October 21, 2002

By 

Robert Leonard (Goleta, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Covert Ops: The CIA's Secret War In Laos (Mass Market Paperback)

I served as Chief of Security for Air America in Thailand and Vietnam from 1967-1975. I enjoyed "Mule's" book very much. For those who shared Jim Parker's experiences you will relive old memories. For those who could not be there you will find the details fascinating. I would encourage you to read this one.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars anyone who is anyone must read this book, January 12, 2005

By 

J. Closmann "books reader" (california) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Covert Ops: The CIA's Secret War In Laos (Mass Market Paperback)

this is a seldom told and largely unknown aspect of the vietnam war. an amazing story of fighting the NVA to a virtual standstill with meager supplies and masterful tactics. a must read for anyone who thinks they know anything about the war in southeast asia.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the war on the other side of the trail., December 29, 1999

By 

george fullwood - See all my reviews

This review is from: Covert Ops: The CIA's Secret War In Laos (Mass Market Paperback)

Having served in the North of Thailand myself, I read with great interest Jim Parker's account of the war that was lateral to us and just across the border in Laos. I enjoyed the book, found it very interesting, and like Parker's style of writing. Humerous in places, personal, descriptive. Well done.