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 " " , 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 Medal s for valor , two Purple Heart s and ten Air Medal s . 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