Without Precedent. 2nd Edition.: Commando, Fighter Pilot and the true story of Australia’s first Purple Heart

by Owen Zupp

‘Without Precedent’ is the military biography of army commando and fighter pilot, Phillip Zupp. One man who served in two very different wars. During World War Two, he saw combat on the ground in the Pacific before patrolling Hiroshima and Tokyo at the war’s end. In Korea, Phillip flew 201 combat sorties amid intense ground fire and the ever-threatening MiG fighters. Peace brought an aviation career that spanned the globe and the skies above it. All the while, aviation history had overlooked this intriguing story of the search for a downed airman, a damaged jet and the first Australian Purple Heart. Until now.

369 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 23, 2016

About the author

Owen Zupp is a published author with 19,000 hours of varied flight experience. His background ranges from charter work and flight instruction to ferry flights, flight testing and the airlines. He has also served as both a Chief Pilot and Chief Flying Instructor. With 20 years in airline operations, Owen has flown both domestically and across the globe from his Australian base. He holds a Masters Degree in Aviation Management and writings on aviation have been published around the world and received various accolades and awards. In 2007 his first book, Down to Earth, was published and traces the combat experiences of a WWII RAF fighter pilot. Today, he remains a current airline pilot and passionate aviation writer with an array of best-selling books titled, "50 Tales of Flight", "Solo Flight" and "50 More Tales of Flight". Most recently he has launched the "Practical Pilot" series and now 'Without Precedent'.

Reviews

[Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by Phillip Zupp's son, this is Phillip's life story, through growing up poor on a Queensland farm to his perseverance in becoming a fighter pilot in the Korean War. It is the story of the unknown (to the recipient) awarding of the US Purple Heart to an Australian pilot which led to his son attempting to follow the paper trail in hopes of seeing his father's medal finally awarded and officially recognised.
This would be of particular interest to an aviation enthusiast as there are numerous detailed descriptions of the missions flown by Zupp during the Korean War. But still an interesting read overall.

[john archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read

Headline says it all. I'm glad I found this book. A history that the world would have missed out on if not written.

[James Currin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an honest, straightforward portrayal of a man who loved to fly and his accomplishments. I enjoyed reading it.

[Aaron Giddings · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Without Precedent, Owen Zupp tells the story of Australia's first Purple Heart recipient. A man who fought his way from tough beginnings to into the skies. A veteran of both World War II and Korea whose bravery during the Korean war was recognized with the unprecedented award of the American Purple Heart. A man who also happened to be Owen's father.

Much more than a warrior's biography, or a fantastic set of aviation stories; although it is both of those, this is the kind of book that fathers hope their own children are inspired to write someday. Owen's deep love and respect for Phillip Zupp shines through every page and paragraph. It's a beautifully respectful story that paints a portrait of a man who faced his battles square on all his life.

One of the best biographies I've read in a long time. A must read for dads, military historians, and aviation buffs alike.

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific

Many biographies are pretty dry and although tell the story of the individual are pretty mundane. This one is real story of determination that should inspire.