The story focuses on the psychological and emotional impact of war on the narrator, a young American soldier recovering in a hospital in Milan. While he is initially proud of his medal, he gradually realizes that it is a hollow symbol of his physical and mental scars.
The story emphasizes that the medal is not a reward for valor or achievement, but rather a recognition of a traumatic experience. The narrator's experience in the war has left him feeling isolated and disconnected from other soldiers, even those who have also been injured. He feels like an outsider, unable to relate to their shared experiences.
The medal becomes a symbol of this alienation, highlighting the way in which war can dehumanize individuals and leave them feeling lost and alone.