W. Paul Hughes was raised in the South. Paul was drafted into the United States Army in 1968 and served with the 196th Infantry, American Division, in the Central Highlands, Vietnam.  He was critically wounded in September of 1969 and left for dead. After an incredible encounter with the after-life he revived. His amazing story of war and his recovery amidst decades of severe struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder and drug abuse is chronicled in his autobiography, Shadow of Death. Paul’s first book was revised, illustrated and released with a new title in 1999, The Light With – One Soldier’s Encounter with the Afterlife.

Paul wrote and designed the workbook for Operation Recon’s with the aid of Pastor M. Ciociola. He was formally educated at Lee University in Tennessee. Paul served as Executive Director of Teen Rescue, an organization founded to assist America’s troubled  teens in 1979. He has served as Associate Director of the Bradley County Juvenile Division in Tennessee after college and served as drug and alcohol abuse facilitator/counselor as assistant to the Juvenile Judge of Obion County, TN.

In the mid 1980’s Paul became a direct spokesman for the cause of educating America about the threatening challenges of post-traumatic stress disorder, working with many veterans organizations. Appearing on numerous television programs with his incredible story he also travelled the nation as an inspirational speaker.  As a disabled combat veteran he became educated regarding P.T.S.D. from years of personal experience and aggressive research; within this arena Paul Hughes is one of today’s foremost  authorities; he is a P.T.S.D. Specialist! Helping American warriors is his passion.

Paul Hughes is an award winning screenwriter and is involved with motion picture production. He continues to write and inspire others with his personal story of overcoming. In conjunction with A Grateful Nation Remembers, Operation Recon is the  point-man within the conglomerate of Warriors Like Us, with plans presently in development for similar workshops directly focusing on Law Enforcement, Emergency Medical Professionals, Fire Fighters, and other municipal families exposed to the world of post-traumatic stress disorder. He resides in Central California with his wife Louise.