卡爾·馬藍提斯(英語:Karl Marlantes,1944年12月24日—)是一位美國作家、企業家,畢業於耶魯大學,並取得牛津大學的羅德學者資格。越南戰爭時期曾為美國海軍陸戰隊尉官,並因為率領部隊戰鬥而獲得美國海軍部頒發的最高等級勳章——海軍十字勳章。他的處女作、虛構戰爭小說《馬特洪峰》於2010年出版後曾榮登《紐約時報》暢銷書排行榜前10名[6]。
Quick Facts 卡爾·馬藍提斯Karl A. Marlantes, 出生 ...
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馬藍提斯於奧勒岡州的伐木小鎮——濱海長大[7],就讀於其父親擔任校長的濱海高中(1963年畢業班)時,當過美式足球隊員和學生會主席[8],之後贏得了全國資優生獎學金並進入耶魯大學的喬納森·愛德華茲學院[9],成為校內兄弟會Beta Theta Pi的會員[10]、在橄欖球校隊中擔任邊鋒[11],並贏得英國牛津大學大學學院的羅德獎學金[12][13][14][15]。
就讀了一個學期後,馬藍提斯志願加入美國海軍陸戰隊現役部隊,並以少尉的身分隨軍遠赴越南參戰,並升為中尉[16]。他在戰鬥役期結束後調回美國,至陸戰隊司令部繼續服役一年。他在陸戰隊生涯中獲得的勳章包括了海軍十字勳章、銅星勳章、兩枚海軍嘉獎勳章、兩枚紫心勳章和10枚航空獎章[17]。退伍之後回到牛津攻讀碩士學位,出社會後赴印度、英國、新加坡及法國等地擔任國際企業顧問[18]。
馬藍提斯花費了30年的時間,使自己的第一部小說《馬特洪峰》成形。出版之後曾被《紐約時報書評》(The New York Times Book Review)作為封面報導主題[19],並躋身於《紐約時報》暢銷書排行榜達16週之久[20],該報記者賽巴斯欽·鍾格亦稱《馬特洪峰》一書為「最深切且最強而有力的越戰題材小說之一」[21]。2011年時,此書也得到了華盛頓州書獎的小說類獎[22]。同樣在該年,馬藍提斯也出版了一本紀實類書籍《What It Is Like to Go to War》(直譯:參戰的感覺),敘述回歸平民世界後的現代退伍軍人生活[23],美國媒體人比爾·莫耶斯在2012年7月時採訪了馬藍提斯,順道為《參戰的感覺》一書作宣傳[24]。
- 科爾比獎(普利茲克軍事圖書館)
- 弗萊賀蒂-鄧南首作小說獎(小說中心)
- 獨立書選大獎年度成人首作獎(2011年)
- 詹姆斯·韋伯獎傑出小說類(海軍陸戰隊傳統協會)[25]
- 華盛頓州書獎小說類(2011年)[22]
馬藍提斯在越南服役時,因為有次率領連上部下攻擊一座遭到越南人民軍(北越軍)佔領、並擁有碉堡設施的山頭,而獲授海軍十字勳章[26],以下為表揚狀的內容[27][註 1]:
美利堅合眾國總統因海軍陸戰隊預備役中尉卡爾·A·馬藍提斯(軍籍編號:0-103269)於艦隊陸戰隊第三加強師的第四團第一營擔任C連副連長期間,在越南共和國抗敵行動中的超凡英勇之舉,而欣然授其海軍十字勳章。1969年3月1日至6日間,C連參與了一場在岩堆山[註 2]之北實施的戰鬥行動,遭遇北越軍迫擊砲、火箭推進榴彈、輕兵器及自動步槍攻擊而死傷慘重。馬藍提斯中尉在盡守本分的同時,亦有技巧地組織、重新集結了兩個排所倖存的弟兄,並在3月6日對一座築有森嚴堡壘、由敵軍控制的山頭展開攻擊行動。在馬藍提斯中尉的強力帶領下,部隊得以搶在北越軍驚動、能夠發起頑強抵抗之前,就獲得了攻上山頭、穿越重重敵砲的氣勢與衝勁。最初敵軍能短暫憑藉強勢火力壓制我軍,而馬藍提斯中尉奮然不顧自身安危,衝過敵火掃射範圍以成功奇襲四座碉堡、徹底予以破壞。儘管在交火中嚴重受傷,但他拒絕醫療照護、繼續領導弟兄直到目標拿下、防線建立、其他傷員都得到醫療後送為止。之後,因為知悉連上有作戰經驗之軍官及士官非死即傷,因此又拒絕讓自己送往後方。所有聽命於他的戰友均為其英雄行動及堅定決心所激勵,並且在打擊北越軍、同時令友軍傷亡最小化的關鍵行動中做出了貢獻。馬藍提斯中尉以其勇敢、進取的戰鬥精神及堅定不移的恪守職責,實踐了陸戰隊及美國海軍部隊的最高傳統。
一般命令:部門:美國海軍部授勳委員會
行動日:1969年3月1日至6日
軍種:海軍陸戰隊(預備役)
軍階:中尉
連:C連
營:第1營
團:第4陸戰團
師:艦隊陸戰隊,第3陸戰加強師
原文如下:
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
Glenn, Tom. Author Q&A: Karl Marlantes. The Washington Independent Review of Books. 2011-09 [2012-12-29]. (原始內容存檔於2012-07-23). My mother’s family came from Norway and Finland and my father’s family came from Greece
Karl Marlantes. Contemporary Authors Online (fee, via Fairfax County Public Library). Detroit: Gale. 2012 [2012-12-30]. Gale Document Number: GALE - H1000197584. (原始內容存檔於2014-02-22).Gale Biography In Context.
Karl Marlantes. Chicago: Pritzker Military Library. October 20, 2011 [2012-12-30]. (原始內容存檔於2012-11-26).
- Masiel, David. Book review: 'Matterhorn' by Karl Marlantes. Washington Post. March 30, 2010 [2012-12-30]. (原始內容存檔於2015-12-05).
- Karl Marlantes, Thomas Curwen. Karl Marlantes: What It's Like to Go to War. Los Angeles. November 3, 2011 [2012-12-30]. (原始內容存檔於2014-02-24).
- 'Matterhorn' Author On What It's Like 'To Go To War'. Talk of the Nation. NPR. August 30, 2011 [2012-12-29]. (原始內容存檔於2012-11-13).
- Interview with Karl Marlantes. Author (Seattle Airport Hilton: Pacific Northwest Writers Association). July 22–25, 2010.
- James, Evan. A Vietnam Epic Uncovers Old Wounds: An Interview with Karl Marlantes. Mother Jones. April 30, 2010 [2012-12-29]. (原始內容存檔於2014-02-24).
- Interview(頁面存檔備份,存於網際網路檔案館) on Matterhorn at the Pritzker Military Library
- Q&A interview with Marlantes, first aired Nov. 13, 2011Archive.is的存檔,存檔日期2013-04-14
- Karl Marlantes author page on publisher Grove/ Atlantic's site.