Karl Marlantes

Karl Marlantes (born December 24, 1944) is an American author, businessman, and decorated Marine veteran.

Life
Marlantes grew up in Seaside, Oregon, a small logging town. He was a football player and student body president at Seaside High School (class of 1963), where his father was principal. He won a National Merit Scholarship and attended Yale University. He was a member of Jonathan Edwards College and Beta Theta Pi. He played wing forward for Yale's Rugby team. He was a Rhodes Scholar at University College, Oxford. He left after one semester to volunteer for active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps. After his military service, he returned to Oxford and earned a master's degree. He made his living as an international business consultant, in India, England, Singapore, and France.

He is the author of Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War, a New York Times Top 10 Bestseller published in 2010. Sebastian Junger, in The New York Times, declared Matterhorn: "one of the most profound and devastating novels ever to come out of Vietnam". Matterhorn received the 2011 Washington State Book Award in the Fiction category. The novel is based on Marlantes' combat experience in the Vietnam War, as a Marine Corps 2nd and 1st lieutenant. His decorations include the Navy Cross, Bronze Star, two Navy Commendation Medals for valor, two Purple Hearts and ten Air Medals. After his combat tour, he served another year of active duty at HQMC. He suffered a severe case of post traumatic stress disorder that led to divorce; he continues treatment for it.

He published a non-fiction work in 2011 entitled What It Is Like To Go To War about modern veteran life upon return to the civilian world. Bill Moyers interviewed Marlantes in connection with the promotion of this book in July 2012.

The Navy Cross citation
Marlantes was awarded the Navy Cross for an action in Vietnam in which he, as a company commander, led an assault on a hilltop bunker complex the North Vietnamese occupied.

"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Karl A. Marlantes (MCSN: 0-103269), United States Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism while serving as Executive Officer of Company C, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. During the period 1 to 6 March 1969, Company C was engaged in a combat operation north of the Rockpile and sustained numerous casualties from North Vietnamese Army mortars, rocket-propelled grenades, small arms, and automatic weapons fire. While continuing to function effectively in his primary billet, First Lieutenant Marlantes skillfully combined and reorganized the remaining members of two platoons, and on 6 March initiated an aggressive assault up a hill, the top of which was controlled by a hostile unit occupying well-fortified bunkers. Under First Lieutenant Marlantes' dynamic leadership, the attack gained momentum which carried it up the slope and through several enemy emplacements before the surprised North Vietnamese force was able to muster determined resistance. Delivering a heavy volume of fire, the enemy temporarily pinned down the friendly unit. First Lieutenant Marlantes, completely disregarding his own safety, charged across the fire-swept terrain to storm four bunkers in succession, completely destroying them. While thus engaged, he was seriously wounded, but steadfastly refusing medical attention, continued to lead his men until the objective was secured, a perimeter defense established, and all other casualties medically evacuated. Then, aware that all experienced officers and noncommissioned officers had become casualties, he resolutely refused medical evacuation for himself. His heroic actions and resolute determination inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in a decisive rout of the North Vietnamese Army force with minimal friendly casualties. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, First Lieutenant Marlantes upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."

General Orders: Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals Action Date: March 1–6, 1969 Service: Marine Corps Reserve Rank: First Lieutenant Company: Company C Battalion: 1st Battalion Regiment: 4th Marines Division: 3d Marine Division (Rein.) FMF