He was born in the city of Chicago, Illinois.
He served honorably in Germany and Vietnam, where he was also assigned to an elite force tasked with missions behind enemy lines in Cambodia. His military service earned him numerous awards, including the Bronze Star for Gallantry with the “V” device for valor, along with several presidential and unit citations.
After returning home from war, he was diagnosed with severe PTSD and other complications that developed over the years. He endured decades of both mental and physical challenges, including a period of substance use, which he overcame on his own. His struggles also led to three divorces, not only due to the intense emotional toll of PTSD but also the deep depression and betrayal he experienced through dishonesty in those relationships—circumstances that significantly intensified his mental health struggles. During that time, he felt entirely lost.
It was meeting his now-wife, Lisa, that became the turning point in his life. Her love, support, and unwavering presence brought him out of the darkness. Together, they began a healing journey—attending veteran support groups and sharing their life near Chicago with their beloved dog and cat.
In his later years, he has found peace in small joys and personal passions, including gaming on Xbox and finally pursuing his lifelong dream of writing. Through his work, he hopes readers will not only feel the raw weight of trauma and hardship but also discover the transformative power of conversation, healing, and light—even in the darkest places.
Witness the Birth of a Killer.
In this gripping, psychological thriller, follow the tumultuous journey of a young protagonist, forged in the depths of suffering and despair. From his traumatic birth to his shattering disillusionment, every painful step propels him toward a dark destiny.
As he navigates the fractured landscape of family and society, his psyche begins to unravel. The world around him crumbles, revealing the darkest corners of human nature. Yet, amidst the chaos, an unknown power stirs, moulding him into an extraordinary being.
This haunting tale explores themes of trauma and resilience, family dynamics and dysfunction, and the blurred lines between sanity and madness. Embark on a thought-provoking, unsettling journey that will challenge your perceptions of humanity and the nature of evil.
“The Passing” is the first instalment in a trilogy, chronicling the origin story of a killer. Dive into the darkness and discover the prophecy that will leave you questioning the shadows within.
Grab your copy now and immerse yourself in this thrilling, psychological ride!
From the horrors of war to the edge of madness, one man walks the line between vengeance and redemption.
In this explosive continuation of The Passing, Collecting The Souls plunges readers deeper into the tortured mind of a soldier forged by combat, betrayal, and a mysterious force that defies explanation. Haunted by a brutal past and drawn into a dark, mystical realm, Clay is no longer just a man—he’s becoming something else entirely.
As his journey unfolds through the chaos of war, racism, addiction, and loss, Clay must come to terms with the power inside him—a force ancient and otherworldly, capable of healing or destruction. But in a world where brotherhood is shattered and truth is buried beneath blood and lies, will this power save him… or damn him?
Raw, unapologetic, and deeply personal, Collecting The Souls is not just a war story—it’s a reckoning. Inspired by the real-life struggles and reflections of a decorated Vietnam veteran, CombatNam delivers a visceral narrative of survival, spiritual transformation, and the terrifying beauty found in darkness.
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