Wounded warriors return to Iraq for closure

Wounded warriors return to Iraq for closure
November 3, 2011 4:10 PM

(CBS News) The U.S. military has found that for all the physical and mental therapy it provides for troops wounded in the war, it was missing a crucial therapy: soldiers and Marines wanted to return to the battlefield where they were injured. Operation Proper Exit takes wounded warriors back in an effort to provide closure that often leads to better lives for these veterans and their families. Scott Pelley follows one group to Iraq on an emotional journey to relive their traumatic experiences for a "60 Minutes" report to be broadcast Sunday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

Steven Cornford needed to return to help get over the feeling that he caused the death of his lieutenant, who was killed coming to his aid on the battlefield. "It's something that haunts me every day. I see his face every time I close my eyes to go to sleep at night," he tells Pelley. "I blame myself a lot, because I-- got hit first, and he was coming to get me. I just-- I want to be able to lay it to rest, like he is, because I know he's in a better place. I just--I know he would want me to."

Despite being shot in the shoulder, Cornford carried his lieutenant, Phillip Neel, a mile to get medical attention. Cornford was awarded the Silver Star.
read more here