re: Military/Veterans question

My grandfather enlisted in the Navy during WWII. He was in officer training pretty much the whole time, never left the country. He used to always say he wasn't a veteran because he didn't really serve. Now he's old and has decided he likes the way people talk to him when he tells them he's a WWII veteran.

I guess my answer to the question would be that I do not differentiate between people who have been in combat vs those who have not, but I believe most people who have not seen action will hold those who have in higher esteem.