Victor Colon, a United States Marine Corps veteran, has released his debut memoir, The War Within, through Palmetto Publishing.
The book is the first in a planned two-book series and traces Colon’s life from childhood poverty, bullying, and a speech disability in Bristol, Connecticut, through ten years of military service and the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) he faced after returning home.
Military service and the return home#
Born to Puerto Rican parents and raised in housing projects in Bristol, Connecticut, Colon had a tongue condition that caused stuttering and limited his ability to defend himself verbally. He was targeted by bullies in his neighborhood and within his family, and he fought daily to survive.
Sports later provided an outlet and some confidence, but an injury threatened that path. Watching his mother struggle, Colon enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2000. He completed two combat tours during his service from 2000 to 2010.
The memoir states that his combat tours left wounds that no medical exam could detect. It documents the daily reality of combat PTSD and the isolation veterans can face after leaving military service.
Publication details#
Palmetto Publishing lists The War Within alongside memoirs such as A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah and Where the Wind Leads by Vinh Chung. The publisher describes the intended readership as ages 18 to 45, including people who have experienced bullying, trauma, or military service.
- Publisher: Palmetto Publishing
- Publication date: August 25, 2026
- ISBN-13: 9798318846847
- Availability: Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com
