The writers portrayed Sgt. Saunders exactly how I would have had I written the screenplay! What a delightful surprise! And he and Ann made a charming couple. Ann's father recognized the fine man that Saunders was and was hopeful that Ann would find happiness again.
Every episode of this show drives home the senselessness and futility of war whether there are civilians portrayed or not; the destruction of families and homes and villages and towns. I don't think we, as Americans, realize how lucky we are not to have modern day warfare waged on our own soil.
Just a note - it was Carol Lawrence, not Carol Lombard, who played Ann.