Vietnam Vet war hero returns home, 40 years later

A war hero returns home, 40 years later
By John Blake, CNN
Sat March 24, 2012

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
War hero's book is a memoir, and warning
Author: Soldiers trained to kill, but not trained to deal with aftermath
Karl Marlantes took 40 years to sort through secrets he left in Vietnam
Marlantes: The war is "just starting" for families of Iraq and Afghan veterans

(CNN) -- Karl Marlantes stared at the young man through the sights of an M-16 rifle and slid his muddy finger over the curve of the trigger.

Turning toward him, the man locked eyes with Marlantes and froze.

"Don't throw it. Don't throw it," Marlantes whispered, hoping the man would surrender.

Moments earlier, the North Vietnamese soldier had been hurling grenades at a group of U.S. Marines. He was cornered near the top of a hill. Blood streamed down his face from a head wound; the crumpled body of a friend lay at his feet.

Marlantes had slithered undetected to a spot just below the soldier's foxhole. When the soldier popped up, arm cocked to throw another grenade, he spotted Marlantes.

The soldier's dark eyes widened in fear; he looked around for a way out, but there was none; and then he snarled, showing his teeth.

Marlantes watched as the grenade left the soldier's hand and tumbled straight toward him.
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