For the pain and suffering—both physical and psychological—Perry has undergone, the army gives him a medal, which seems totally insufficient after what he’s been through. The chaplain repeats corny sentiments that Perry might once have agreed with. But the “action” of war—its violence and dehumanizing struggle—contradict this motive. Perry knows that he isn’t really fighting for freedom, but no one can adequately tell him what they want him to fight for. And this increases his sense of alienation, isolation, and trauma.