Overview

This is an extraordinary memoir, both because of Parker's long period of active duty in the Navy--1942 to 1987--but also because of his achievement of flag rank without benefit of college education. As a machinist's mate, Parker served in the destroyer USS Mervine (DD-489/DMS-31) in World War II, attack transport USS Fremont (APA-44), and destroyer USS Trathen (DD-530) in the Korean War. Interspersed were tours of recruiting duty. He was a warrant officer in the ammunition ship USS Great Sitkin (AE-17) in the 1950s. After becoming a commissioned officer he put the engineering plants of the USS Charles F. Adams (DDG-2) and USS Josephus Daniels (DLG-27) into service and was later exec of the USS Conyngham (DDG-17) under skipper Harry Train. He commanded the USS Macdonough (DLG-8) and USS Richard E. Byrd (DDG-23) and spent a year with Task Force 116 in country in Vietnam. In addition to commanding Destroyer Squadrons 26 and 10, Parker was instrumental in fleet maintenance improvements and set up the Propulsion Examining Boards which were designed to bring 1,200-psi steam plants up to high standards. His final tour of duty was as Commander Naval Base Norfolk.

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9781682691984

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Paul Stillwell is an independent historian and retired naval officer. He worked for thirty years at the U.S. Naval Institute as an oral historian and editor of Naval History magazine. He is the author or editor of fourteen books, including four on battleships and an award-winning volume on the Navy’s first African American officers, The Golden Thirteen. His 2021 book Battleship Commander: The Life of Vice Admiral Willis A. Lee Jr. also received acclaim. He lives in Arnold, Maryland.

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