Thomas F. O'Leary was born in Peekskill, New York on September 30, 1965.  He attended Peekskill High School, where he was voted as the "Most Popular" and "Most Fun to Be With" student from his graduating class of 250.  During High School, he participated on the Varsity Soccer, Swimming, Cross Country, Spring Track, and Lacrosse teams.  He attended the State University of New York College at Cortland in the fall of 1983.  During his four years at college, he was a Disc Jockey for the local radio station, WSUC FM, a Resident Assistant for a floor of co-ed students, and a Student Teacher for the Communications Department.  In the winter of 1986, he went to Cuernavaca, Mexico to study Spanish Language and Culture.  He returned in the spring of 1987, and graduated with a B.A. in Speech Communications.

In the fall of 1987, he was employed as a Field Representative with A.C. Nielsen Marketing in Dunedin, Florida.  In 1988, he left that position and spent 4 years working with the US Postal Service, teaching English as a Second Language at night.

In 1992, he joined the Air Force and went to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio Texas for Basic Training.  Upon graduating, he attended technical training for Information Management at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, and graduated with Honors.  His first tour was in Montgomery, Alabama.  There, over the four years, he was awarded his first promotion to Senior Airman Below-the-Zone; and was selected as Information Manager of the Year for Maxwell AFB, Alabama; Gunter Annex, Alabama; Electronic Systems Center (Hanscom Massachusetts); and Wright Patterson AFB (Ohio).  Subsequently, he was selected as Airman of the Year for the same bases, and nominated as one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen in the U.S. Air Force.  He was also honored to receive the Governor of Alabama's Outstanding Enlisted Representative Award.  During that time, he was also presented with a Proclamation from the Governor of Massachusetts.

In 1996, he joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Naples, Italy.  Since arriving in Naples, he attended Airman Leadership School and was awarded the John Levitow Leadership Award and the Academic Achievement Honor, graduating with a 99.9 percent average.  He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in 1998.  In October, 1998, he was deployed to the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia to support NATO's OPERATION EAGLE EYE with the Kosovo Verification Coordination Centre (KVCC). His peacekeeping efforts during that period earned him the NATO Medal. He is currently pursuing a Masters of Science in International Relations.  Tom is married to the former Dearbhla O'Flynn, from Sligo, Ireland.  They have no children yet.

Attached:
Award Chronology

1992    Honor Graduate, Information Management Technical Training, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
1993    Senior Airman Below-the-Zone
1994    Information Manager of the Year, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
            Information Manager of the Year, Gunter Annex, Alabama
            Information Manager of the Year, Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts (ESC)
            Information Manager of the Year, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio (AFMC)
1995    Airman of the Year, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
            Airman of the Year, Gunter Annex, Alabama
            Airman of the Year, Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts (ESC)
            Airman of the Year, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio (AFMC)
            Nominated as one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen in the US Air Force
            Proclamation from the Governor of Massachusetts
            The Governor of Alabama's Outstanding Enlisted Representative
1996    Air Force Commendation Medal
1997    John Levitow Award Winner, Leadership School, Aviano AB, Italy
            Superior Academic Achievement Award, Leadership School, Aviano AB, Italy
1998    Promotion to Staff Sergeant
1999 NATO Medal