January 07, 2008
In Memoriam: Major Andrew J. Olmsted '92
Major Andrew J. Olmsted '92, died Jan. 3 in As Sadiyah, Iraq, from wounds suffered when his unit was hit with small arms fire.
Maj. Olmsted was originally from Maine, but grew up in Northborough, Mass. He graduated from St. John's High School in Shrewsbury, Mass., and earned his bachelor's degree in government and international relations at Clark in three-and-a-half years. He also met his wife, Amanda Wilson ’91, at Clark. They lived in Colorado Springs. Maj. Olmsted was based out of Fort Carson.
Since his deployment in July, Maj. Olmsted had kept a regular blog titled "From the Front Lines" for the Rocky Mountain News, as "a prolific blogger," he also prepared a blog entry to be posted to the Obsidian Wings Web site in the event of his death.
"Clark University is saddened and shaken by the violent deaths of two of our alumni, each of whom died working to make a difference in the world," says President John Bassett. "Maj. Andrew Olmsted's service in Iraq and John Granville's diplomatic efforts in Sudan were the unselfish ways each chose to make that positive difference. Their spirit of commitment and sacrifice is true to the identity and mission of their alma mater. The Clark community will honor and remember them."
Read the Rocky Mountain News article about Maj. Olmsted and find his blog "From the Front Lines" here.