Was just discussing this subject yesterday with some childhood friends. One of their fathers was in Europe in WWII. As kids, we remember sneaking up to his attic to look at his Father’s two purple hearts, Distinguished Service Medal, and photos of his Father in his unit, carrying his BAR. The man carried German shrapnel in his hip until his death.
Of course, as a kid, I was greatly impressed by his Father’s service - but we and they were simply NOT allowed to discuss it. The war ended, he was discharged, promptly returned home, and whatever he experienced in Europe was simply buried - and his kids learned it was an off-limits subject.