George Preddy, Top Mustang Ace [Hardcover]

Joe Noah (Author), Samuel L. Sox Jr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1999

This is a biography of Major George E. Preddy, Jr. who became the leading active ace in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. When he was killed on Christmas Day 1944 by Allied ground fire, he was the top P-51 Mustang ace of all time, with 27 aerial and five ground victories. George's younger brother, Bill, was killed on April 17, 1945 while strafing an enemy aerodrome near Prague. A chapter is devoted to his short career in which he claimed two aerial victories.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Joe Noah started writing George Preddy's biography in 1955 while he was an officer in the Air Force. In 1974 he published the first edition, Wing God Gave My Soul. In 1991 Joe & Sam Sox revised the book for publication by Motorbooks International. Joe Noah spent two years in the US Marine Corps, seven in the Air Force, and five years working for the Air Force think-tank, The Rand Corporation. Joe received a Master of Science degree from Stanford University in 1955 where he specialized in engineering-economics. He retired from his own firm in 1983, a firm that specialized in cost-benefit analysis. Sam Sox retired from his career in insurance as a certified life underwriter. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Preddy Memorioal Foundation (March 1, 1999)
• ISBN-10: 0966904214
• ISBN-13: 978-0966904215
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,368,179 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding book about a man with whom I shared the sky., November 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: George Preddy, Top Mustang Ace (Paperback)

I knew George 'Ratsy' Preddy as a fellow-pilot in the 352nd Fighter Group--the Bluenosers. I saw him at briefings and in action, and quickly developed a tremendous respect for him as a dedicated pilot--calm on the ground, aggressive in the air. This book by Joe Noah and Sam Sox is not only a marvelous tribute to his courage and combat achievements, but a mirror of an outstanding person. He inspired those who flew with him. This book brought back many memories. As Editor/Historian of he 352nd FG Association, I recommend it highly.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An ace's fitting biography, February 29, 2000

By 

John Edwards (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: George Preddy, Top Mustang Ace (Paperback)

These are merely some thoughts that came to mind while reading the book and shortly thereafter and are in no particular order. This is a detailed account with complimentary diary excerpts providing an excellent glimpse into the man and the ace fighter pilot. A hall mark of a well written biographical account in my opinion is one that depicts the person, not just his/her accomplishments. Military biographies generally do this. I detected no attempt to smear anyone or organization as some lesser works. The book is supported by solid research and timely use of primary and secondary sources, especially interviews and personal rememberances of Preddy. The use of personal recollections makes the book read like an oral history instead of a typical biographical sketch. A particular strength of the work is the use of 'real' photographs, not the well publicized and over used images commonly found in biographical accounts. The gun camera stills bring a certain sense of immediacy to thebook. What better way to visualized the chaotic, swirling dogfights over Europe than with the same images Preddy saw, taken from his own gun camera. I personally like the clear, logical manner of organziation in the book. The writing seemed dynamic and vibrant instead of staid and flat. I never thought the material presented was out of scope in the chapter in which it appeared. Your own close family ties with George did not prevent you and Sam from capturing the man George was. The writing stayed focus on Preddy's life and did not become a dry operational history of the 352nd during Preddy's service. This certainly held true in the first part of the book with Preddy serving in the Pacific. So often in WWII literature, if the subject served in the ETO and PTO authors commonly short shaft the PTO since it does not carry the same appeal. Your book is proportionally balanced. Well done.

These are just random thoughts I had. I enjoyed reading the book. This book does not require prior knowledge like some biographies.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An author's thoughts on "Preddy", April 7, 2004

By 

Robert F. Dorr (Oakton, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: George Preddy, Top Mustang Ace (Paperback)

When the original edition of this book was published, I wondered why the publisher had chosen the "mini" size that has since become more routine for mainstream books---routine in today's world of consolidation and globalization because the tiny handful of big bookstore chains put such a premium on space. The story of Major George Preddy, who was credited with 23.83 aerial victories at the controls of the P-51 Mustang, warranted larger dimensions, more pages, greater thickness, I thought. Many other aces have become the subject of full-sized biographies while some, like Col. (later, Gen.) J. C. Meyer, who admired Preddy, has not.

I became very much aware of the Preddy brothers a decade ago when writing a book on the P-51 Mustang (now out of print).

The reader of this book will get first-hand glimpses at George Preddy and brother Bill from a cousin (co-author Noah) who knew Preddy personally. The selection of photos is interesting, since many come from family sources and have not been seen elsewhere. The story of George Preddy and his career makes exciting reading. I probably should have given this volume a couple more stars in my rating, but I'm one of those teachers who never hands out an "A." I cannot imagine anyone with an interest in air combat in World War II not having this book.