How does Jimmy’s death affect Eldon?

When Eldon and Jimmy are eighteen, they sign up for the Korean War. The war is horrific and grueling, and permanently damages Eldon. During the war, Jimmy asks Eldon to bury him the warrior way if Jimmy dies. It is also here that Eldon is also forced to kill Jimmy, subsequent to Jimmy receiving a fatal shot to his chest by enemy shooters. In order to not give away their position, Eldon is forced to finish him off and leave his body behind. Eldon succumbs to binge drinking after this painful event.