Kyle Windorski, a 21-year-old college student in the Army Reserve, was walking home Tuesday morning on the east side of Milwaukee when four men with stocking caps over their faces forced him into an alley at gunpoint and demanded cash.

In an account confirmed by the Milwaukee police, Mr. Windorski said the men ordered him to the ground on his stomach, and he was helpless as they fished his wallet out of a pocket. They counted his $16 and by their raging tone, he could tell they were not happy. The muggers then turned their attention to Mr. Windorski’s various identification cards: a driver’s license, a University of Wisconsin student card and a military ID.

Suddenly there was confusion, and silence.

“We’ve got to give this stuff back,” the ringleader snapped. “This guy’s military!”

And with that, Mr. Windorski said he got a heartfelt thank you from the rather patriotic band of thieves, and a fist-bump for his service to the country.