While crossing a cemetery, Lt. Hanley, Sgt. Saunders and their squad are surprised by a German tank and a heavy machine gun. They retreat but Privates D'Amato and Wharton, who are close friends, stay near the tank. D'Amato heads to the tank, kills the German soldiers and uses the machine gun to kill the German squad alone. However he is killed by the German commander that flees. When Wharton sees his friend dead, he goes crazy and discharges the machine gun on the German bodies. Lt. Hanley mistakenly gives the credit for killing the enemies to Wharton and recommends him to the Silver Star. Wharton does not tell the truth, but when the German commander is arrested, he is assigned to go with Sgt Saunders to deliver the prisoner to the intelligence. When Saunders leave the German with Wharton, he waits the right moment to blackmail the American soldier. But Saunders overhears the conversation and is suspicious of what Wharton can do to keep the medal.
"The Medal" is one of the best episodes of "Combat!" with another storyline of moral dilemma. The need of a hero to be an example to the squad and the need of a medal of a private with unrequited love to show to his former girlfriend are the ingredients of this story. The conclusion is moralist but works perfectly well. My vote is nine.
Title (Brazil): "A Medalha" ("The Medal")