It was early November 1992. I had just moved into my new apartment in San Diego. As I sorted through boxes, the television was playing the national evening news. There are moments in your life that you never forget. I had no idea a moment that would shape my life forever was about to occur. As the evening anchor said these words, my blood ran cold: "The U.S. Navy is investigating the murder of Petty Officer Allen R. Schindler in Sasebo, Japan." I immediately ran from the other room to catch the rest of the news report. As I caught a quick glimpse of his photo, my mind no longer registered the rest of the words spoken.
I dove into a box to locate a small piece of laminated paper. I had to confirm the spelling of the name of my friend who was now dead. Allen, who had been stationed in San Diego, had become my friend. Before he shipped out, he had given his eclectic group of compadres his military address. He begged his friends to write him. Between college and work, I had never gotten around to sending him even a postcard.
As the details of his death unfolded, I was sickened, struck by a sense of horror, sadness, and remorse. Allen was savagely murdered by a shipmate, Airman Apprentice Terry M. Helvey, as accomplice Charles Vines watched, in a public bathroom in Sasebo, Japan. Helvey had beaten Schindler to death. He then jumped on his head and torso until they were crushed. From my understanding, parts of his body were liquefied. Not one intact organ remained, forcing his family to identify his body from a tattoo on his arm.
When I learned that Schindler was killed for being gay, I was taken aback with shock. He loved the Navy and kept the fact that he was gay a secret. Only a select, trusted few knew about his sexual orientation. He even went as far as to wear sunglasses in bars so that no one could identify him. His friends often joked with him that his sunglasses drew attention to him rather than helping to conceal his identity.
In the days of "don't ask, don't tell," the Navy was said to have tried to obscure the details of his murder. I later learned that Allen feared for his life and was subjected to homophobic remarks. His command ignored the threats of his fellow shipmates, and as we now know, their assistance could have prevented his murder. However, I was not there and have not spoken to anyone who served with him, but I know for certain that Allen would have never told his command that he was gay and requested a separation without good cause.
As we approach the 30th-year anniversary of Allen's death, I reflect on how the military has changed. Servicemembers can now serve openly, and today we celebrate the 3rd anniversary of the repeal of DADT. San Diego Pride saw the nation's first military contingent, with servicemembers from all branches walking in uniform. LGBT military organizations are advocating for military recruiters to attend Pride events around the country. MORE!
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