Benjamin H. Milligan became a US Navy SEAL in 2001 and served until 2009. He is the recipient of the Bronze Star and other awards. A native of Indianapolis, he received a BA in History at Purdue University and an MA in International Relations at the University of San Diego. Since the publication of By Water Beneath The Walls, he has balanced his writing with speaking and lecturing on leadership, organizational change, and American history at various universities, military commands, and veteran's events. When not traveling for research or leading a tour of an overseas battlefield, he lives in the Chicago area with his three sons.