James S. Oliver grew up on the southern Philippine Island of Mindanao-hiding from World War II aggressors with his Filipino mother and three siblings.

He did not know it then, but war would become a constant in his life, even after he moved to the United States. He'd graduate from college and become an officer in the US Air Force, where he'd spend the next twenty-four years.

During the Cold War with Soviet Russia, he specialized in intercontinental ballistic missile operations and maintenance, and was selected for Special Forces training at Fort Bragg.

Then he joined a...

James S. Oliver grew up on the southern Philippine Island of Mindanao-hiding from World War II aggressors with his Filipino mother and three siblings.

He did not know it then, but war would become a constant in his life, even after he moved to the United States. He'd graduate from college and become an officer in the US Air Force, where he'd spend the next twenty-four years.

During the Cold War with Soviet Russia, he specialized in intercontinental ballistic missile operations and maintenance, and was selected for Special Forces training at Fort Bragg.

Then he joined a...