John Rambo was first introduced in the 1972 Vietnam war novel by David Morrell (1943–), First Blood. Rambo has just returned from serving in the Vietnam War (1954–75). While serving with the elite Special Forces, he had been captured by the Viet Cong. He eventually escaped but was psychologically damaged by the experience. Drifting through Kentucky, he is harassed and arrested by a local sheriff. In response, Rambo snaps and reverts to a killing machine, with tragic results.

Sylvester Stallone, as John Rambo, attacks the enemy in the action movie Rambo. Archive Photos, Inc. Reproduced by permission.

The novel was moderately successful and became a film in 1981. In the film version, Rambo, played by Sylvester Stallone (1946–), is still a Special Forces veteran of Vietnam, but his deadly skills are much more restrained. In the novel, Rambo kills without mercy; for him, it is war. But Stallone's is a kinder, gentler Rambo...