Spiro Constantinos Manolas was born in the Bronx, NY in 1926.   The son of Greek immigrants, the family moved to Cambridge, MA when he was 12 after his father passed unexpectedly.   

     He enlisted into the US Army, serving in the South Pacific during WWII.  He then attended Norwich University, being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, C'1949.  He again served his country in the Post WWII European Theatre.   Upon return from this assignment, he continued his education, earning a M.A. and Ph.D in Near Eastern History at Boston University.   He was a graduate of The National Defense University/US National War College, Washington, DC and also completed studies at Oxford University, England.  

  Upon completion of his PhD., he and his wife Carol moved to Alexandria, VA where they raised their family.   He spent his career with the Department of Defense including service for the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon. His expertise on Middle Eastern Affairs was highlighted by extensive travel on behalf of the Secretary and the US Government meeting with Middle Eastern heads of state.     

     Dr. Manolas was the author of American Arms, Greek Blood - the story of the first five years after WWII where Greece was the hot spot of the “Cold War” between the United States and the Soviet Union.  His interest in writing this book was spurred by his residence in Greece during the period aligning that experience with the asymmetrical warfare at the time of publication. 

     Outside of his love of history, he enjoyed gardening and collecting oriental carpets.  He passed away in 2014.  A lifelong learner, he continued to enhance his knowledge through reading and left nearly 1000 books in his library.