I think your kindness is a stretch.
This self-serving pr!ck served, but probably not from patriotism. It is much more likely it was with an eye to his own political future. Sure, he saw some combat duty, but it is unlikely it changed his already-made-up mind on The War. He was just getting his ticket punched, including gathering a string of purple hearts for wounds no worse paper cuts.
This man is nothing but an opportunist - always has been, always will be.