"Speaking of Courage" talks about both courage in the war, and just basic, personal courage.
Norman thinks that he was a coward when he let Kiowa sink into the mud, but when he imagines his conversation with his father, he tells him that it is his own fault. I think that admitting something that you feel really guilty about could be considered an act of courage. whether or not Kiowa's death is his fault, or pulling him out of the muck would have been courageous, Norman himself considers it cowardice, and admitting that to someone is a daunting thing to do. However,when Norman imagines describing this to his father, he does not say that Kiowa's death is the thing that bothers him, he says that not winning the silver star for valor is the part that he regrets.Another example of courage in the book is when Tim O'Brien decides to go to war instead of fleeing to Canada, despite his feelings that he is too good for war, or that he does not agree with it. In this case, however, either decision could have been considered the brave one. going to Canada would have meant leaving his entire life behind, but going to war is brave for the obvious reasons. I think that Norman Bowker admitting or not admitting to his father about why he didn't win the silver star would be courageous either way. admitting to him would be courageous because of what i said above, but not admitting it to him would also be courageous because he would have to deal with these feelings that i would imagine he has for his whole life.
It also addresses the courage that it takes to to take part in the war. to be in the war, you would have to deal with situations like Norman's all the time. I think that making those decisions all the time, and not going crazy is courageous in itself.
