Hill 406 — Stan R. Mitchell

In the scorching oven of Helmand Province, Afghanistan, the roots of an incredible bond between two Marine squad leaders are forged in the flames of combat.Marines are dying, things are messed up with command, and new forces led by a veteran Taliban leader have returned to the area of operations. Making things worse, the Taliban have smuggled in from Iran a new weapons system previously NEVER seen in Afghanistan.These two squad leaders -- Sergeant Morgan and Corporal Dean -- are about to face the biggest test of their lives. Orders from above will clash with realities on the ground. And in this hellish, once-in-a-lifetime situation, these veteran Marine leaders will put their careers (and lives) on the line to save others. They don't know it as it's happening, but Hill 406 is beckoning them, calling their names.For them, they're just two men trying to do what's right. But fate, and circumstances far beyond their control, will force them to climb what the Afghans call the Hill of Bones. And on this day, just like in many days in previous wars, there will be a lot of blood spilled on Hill 406.