How does the phrase "men killed and died because they were too embarrassed not to" explicate the theme of shame and guilt?

This phrase states that people in war, did not want to come out of the war sometimes because they may be considered traitors for not dying honorably. It shows the shame and guilt they must face when your the only one alive out of 200 who died heroically. It is messed up in my opinion but that's how it works.