Mr. Bill J. Helwig - California - Gay
USRA - Jun 15 1963-Sep 30 1983 - O4
self-identified in service: Yes
Out since: Aug 1981 - Coming Out: 10
honors & citations: Bronze Star Medal (1OLC); Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC); Army Commendation Medal (2OLC); National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Meritorious Unit Citation; RVN Gallantry Cross w/Palm (Unit Citation)

Bio: I am immensely proud to have served my country. At the same time, I am angry that I had to hide an integral part of my identity in order to be in service. In addition to the normal "sacrifices" incident to military service, I had to pretend to be someone else, forego intimate human contacts, lie, live in fear of discovery, and carefully guard my conversations for nearly two decades. While the experience of military service is a great bond for members of my generation, there was always a part of me that could not feel total integration. Today I am proud to be a gay veteran who has shared in the task of defending our Country and who asks only that it permit full equality of service to our GLBT brothers and sisters.

Mr. David A Hurley - Arizona - Gay
USN - Jun 26 1981-Jun 25 1985 - E4
self-identified in service: Yes
Coming Out: 10
honors & citations: (not listed)

Bio: It was long before DA/DT but the climate in the military wasn't much diffent than in civilian life: gays were not accepted at that time. So being in the military and being gay was less an issue than it is now with the current policy, I think.