This is a second hand story from mother about her uncle. He’s married my maternal grandmother’s sister. He served in World War 2 in the European theater. The story I have is this:

He and his squad were in a fire fight with some Germans. I was never told the city or location. However, over the course of the fight, most or all of his brothers in arms fall to enemy fire. At the same time, it’s clear that my uncle’s side is taking out Germans. As I was told the story, it came down to my uncle and one last German. They both came out of their respective cover and looked one another over.

Then they both turned and walked away. It was related to me that my uncle felt that his opposite number was just as sick of the fighting and wanted to go. Neither saw the need to kill each other when all of their comrades had already died or wounded severely enough to be out of action. I didn’t see the actual commendation but my mother had his medals after my great aunt died (he preceded her). He was wounded in the fight and received the Purple Heart for it.