Combat Marine vets adjust to civilian life

Preview: Coming Home

For some veterans - even one who lost a leg -- the war was a defining, motivating experience they wouldn't trade. Others, however, are struggling because of the war they fought. Scott Pelley meets both in his story about veterans of a Marine company that took especially high casualties in Afghanistan. Pelley's report on men who served in Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Division - a group he first reported on in Afghanistan five years ago, will be broadcast on 60 Minutes, Sunday, March 8 at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

Rory Hamill lost his right leg in Afghanistan and was awarded a Purple Heart. It was an amazing experience to get the medal from President Obama in the hospital, he tells Pelley. But he endured a dark period that included contemplating suicide before emerging, with counseling, a new man with three children and job with the Navy he cares about. Hamill, a corporal, had served two tours in Afghanistan, losing the leg in the second one. Would he do it again? "In a heartbeat. It made me the man I am today."

CPL Nick Xiarhos died on the battlefield in Afghanistan. Jonathan Quiceno has begun a family and successful career since the Marines and says it's because he remembers his buddy who died. "It's because of people like [Xiarhos] that I want to continue to push harder in life and succeed," he tells Pelley. "It's the good ones who pass and I can't let that be in vain."

Quiceno came home and used his veterans benefits to graduate from Temple University. He lives in the Philadelphia area with his wife, a lawyer, and their two young children and he's got a job selling financial products for Lincoln Financial. He doesn't want to forget his combat experience, as difficult as it was. "I don't want to put it behind me. I want it to be real in everything I do because it gives me something to live for."

Devin Jones would rather forget most aspects of his combat experience. He suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and survivor's guilt. He can't forget a dead buddy either, but for him, the combat death of Dennis Burrow is a debilitating rather than motivating exercise. Jones has been homeless and struggled to keep a job. "I've had nightmares where I've been just sitting there just staring at [Burrow]." He wonders why Burrow and not him. "Every day...How do I deserve to be here?"

Then 2nd Lt. Dan O'Hara is adjusting well to life after two tours of Afghanistan, despite the casualties his men endured. He is a proud veteran, who recently retired from active duty as a captain. He now has a good job with General Electric and even thinks about running for office in the future. "I had done what I wanted to do in the Marine Corps," he tells Pelley. "I could say I deployed twice in the defense of my nation, so that was something I was proud of [but] there's certainly part of you that says, 'I'm glad that that is over with.'"

f

We and our partners use cookies to understand how you use our site, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. Read about how we use cookies in our cookie policy and how you can control them by clicking Manage Settings. By continuing to use this site, you accept these cookies.