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06.30 and Sunday morning Beirut, Lebanon, everybody was asleep.

This is Sergeant Stephen Russell, a U.S. Marine who served in Lebanon in 1983.

This is from an interview he gave to USA Today.

I blame myself what happened.

A truck containing explosives was driven into the Marine Headquarters Building just before dawn, Beirut Time, today.

Then I heard the rev of an engine behind me.

Truck filled with high explosives crashed through the southern gate.

Drove into the lobby of what was formerly the aviation safety building.

I saw the truck come to a stop, dead center of that lobby.

Dead silence in the lobby.

You could hear a pin drop.

And then the next thing I saw was a bright orange flash. A bright orange flash.

Pounds of explosives have been packed into the truck, which was driven through two barriers.

The first thing I said was, son of a pitch, he did it.

The explosion brought down the building. The Marines asleep inside had little chance.

I remember looking on my shoulder, there was one marine back here those who are able to free themselves

limp through the smoke and dust to safety morning help me help me help me God help me

...