hmm.. I think I was thinkihhng of Gnther Grass (I was reading some of his poetry earlier too). He served in the SS as an 18 yr old and then later in his life became a political leader and organized protests (for human rights). It wasn't until recently that he came out about his past and all the regrets... but people think he's the devil now.
I don't know much about htis guy other than what I read on the site.