The medal of honour for WWII appears to be for Vernon Baker not Alvin and it was awarded for his bravery in leading a successful attack on a German position in Italy in April 1945. The fact that this medal was not awarded to Vernon until 1997 (by Bill Clinton) is an example of racial discrimination in the US because he was a black soldier. Roy Benavides saved a 12 man group of soldiers surrounded by 1000men of the Vietnamese guerrillas and risked his life ( I think foolishly and for a bad cause) and was severely wounded but survived (in 1968). His medal of honour was delayed until 1981 until a witness of his deed was finally found to confirm his (misguided) bravery when then he was given the medal by Ronald Reagan. To me, it depends what one is fighting against that counts the most and bravery of those who fought against fascism in WWII is very commendable but attacking the Vietnamese defending their own country is not. It is true that Benavides showed extreme bravery but for the wrong cause.