O'MEARA, Andy, Jr. 1936-
(Andrew P. O'Meara, Andrew Pick O'Meara, Jr.)

PERSONAL:

Born December 26, 1936, in West Point, NY; son of Andrew P. (an army officer) and Ellen (a homemaker) O'Meara; married Evelyn Byrd (a flight attendant), May 1, 1992; children: Andrew, Kay, Steven, Pat. Ethnicity: "Scotch Irish." Education: U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY, B.S., 1959; University of Wisconsin, M.S., 1968; graduate of U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, 1970, Army War College, 1978, and National War College, 1989. Politics: Republican. Religion: Christian.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Pawleys Island, SC. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

U.S. Army, career officer in Infantry and Armored Cavalry, 1959-89, serving in Europe and Vietnam, retiring as colonel; worked as manager, consultant, and trainer with Vinnell Arabia and Air-work Vinnell in Saudi Arabia and Oman. Army Training Board, past president; National War College, past senior army instructor.

AWARDS, HONORS:

Military awards include Silver Star, Defense Superior Service Medal, three Legions of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, four Bronze Stars, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Infantryman's Badge, and two Vietnamese Gallantry Crosses.

WRITINGS:

Only the Dead Came Home: Vietnam's Hidden Casualties, Elderberry Press (Oakland, OR), 2002.

(Under name Andrew P. O'Meara) Accidental Warrior: The Forging of an American Soldier, Elderberry Press (Oakland, OR), 2003.

Voices from the Underground, Elderberry Press (Oakland, OR), 2003.

Other writings include Infrastructure and the Marxist Power Seizure. Contributor to military journals.

SIDELIGHTS:

Andy O'Meara, Jr., told CA: "I served as a cavalryman, infantryman, and tanker in troop units in Europe, Vietnam, and the United States. My combat experiences included tours in line units as a lieutenant, captain, and a major with the 1st Cavalry Regiment (Vietnam) and the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (United States). I was decorated five times for valor during my service in Vietnam. Prior to my retirement from military service I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Following my retirement I served as a government contractor for the army in the Middle East.

" Only the Dead Came Home: Vietnam's Hidden Casualties is the story of one man's struggle against PTSD. The book describes traumatic incidents in combat that result in PTSD, as well as the symptoms of the emotional disorder that are prevalent following serious combat operations or major disasters such as the destruction of the World Trade Center in New York in 2001. The book details some of the failures experienced by the Americans in Vietnam that increased the pressures upon combatants that are normally associated with combat operations. These failures include both strategic planning failures of the administration and the failures of journalists to accurately report the conflict, which had far-reaching impacts upon public opinion in America. The book reveals some of the activities of the antiwar movement that eroded public support for the war and led to the vilification and persecution of returning veterans. Finally the book describes the treatment of PTSD that allowed me to resume an active career as a civilian advisor and trainer for the army in the Middle East.

"I have always been interested in history and literature. West Point and military service diverted my attention as a cavalryman and an infantryman in Vietnam and the Cold War. Nevertheless, I enjoyed writing and wrote for professional military journals while in military service. Following my retirement I resolved to try my hand at publishing biographical sketches and reflections on combat operations in Vietnam.

"My writing process is usually characterized by a headlong plunge into my subject. I am normally familiar with my topic, inasmuch as I tend to concentrate upon topics associated with my military service. Following an exhaustive dump of reflections, opinions and concerns in the subject area, I begin a series of rewrites to incorporate the results of detailed research to document the piece, while simultaneously cutting and shaping the topic. I often go through as many as a dozen rewrites of the essay or topic, incorporating the comments of reviewers who have been kind enough to critique my work. Following the finalization of the piece, I circulate my work to editors for their review and comments.

"I have been surprised by the interest generated by my work. Comments tend to be mixed, reflecting strongly held opinions both positive and negative on my topics. It is my hope my books will increase understanding of the Vietnam War, especially its human costs, as well as helping the reader to appreciate the symptoms and treatment of PTSD."