In speaking of courage what might he be trying to say about the experience in vietnam in having Norman do in this story?

I'm not sure what you mean. Norman was quiet and polite.... he was a gentle soul, who resented the pressure to appear brave. None-the-less, he stepped up and fought beside his fellow soldiers, only to return home and feel like a lost soul. His courage was depleted, he had no one to talk to, and he ended up taking his own life. We will never know what Norman truly felt, nor will we ever know exactly when he was most courageous. He lived through his experiences in Vietnam but found life at home impossible.