 FACT: At the end of the film, we see Elwood has been awarded the  Purple Heart and Defense Superior Service Medals, and learn that  Sergeant Lee was awarded a posthumous Silver Star. The Silver Star  and Purple Heart are awarded for combat only. The Silver Star is for  gallantry in action, and the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in  combat or being killed in action. The Defense Superior Service Medal  is a Department of Defense medal and is awarded almost exclusively  to officers over the rank of Major.