Having to handle dangerous equipment is one of the legitimate dangers of being a soldier. In Cleland's case, the fuckup wasn't his, it was some idiotic new soldier who hadn't yet learned that you don't customize your grenade to make the pin easier to remove.

No enemy was involved but stupidity on his own side.

However 4 days before this incident, Cleland managed to earn a silver star on the battlefield. Is that good enough proof that he really served?

Cheers,
Ben