It was almost noon as Will sat anxiously in Rod’s living room, waiting for some word from Billy.  Did he arrive at the Base?  Surely he would have.  Was he called in to answer charges of homosexuality or was he aboard the Altamont preparing to sail out of port?  While he worried about how Billy would fare in the grilling he might receive, he was fearful to think that his lover would escape interrogation and they would be separated for a very long time.  Not knowing what was happening was souring his mood and elevating his anxiety.  Both Rod and David had called earlier that morning but Will had no news to give them.  They tried to reassure that it would work out as planned but Will continued to worry and wait.

Just past noon, Will was startled by the door bell.  He looked out the window to see who it was because he was in Rod’s house and was unsure about opening the door.  He saw two Shore Patrolmen on the front porch.  The sight simultaneously frightened him and encouraged him.  Surely it was a sign that Billy had been identified on the video and had been interrogated.  He must have told the Navy where to find the other ‘actor’ in the video.  The plan was working!

He opened the door.  “Are you Willard Benson?” the taller of the two visitors asked.

“Yes.  Is there a problem?”

“We don’t know,” the Shore Patrolman said.  “But we’ve been asked to take you to the Base to meet with Captain Delgado.  Would you please accompany us?”

“Of course.  But why would he want to see me?  Oh.  I forgot.  You don’t know.  Who is Captain Delgado?”

“A member of the command staff at the Base.  Now, would you be so kind as to come with us please.”

The drive to the Base was devoid of any conversation, which allowed Will to think through how he should react when confronted with the evidence against him.  The driver pulled up in front of the Headquarters Building.  The other escort turned around to speak to Will who was in the back seat of the car.  “If you’ll come with me, I’ll take you to Captain Delgado’s office.”

As they entered into Delgado’s plush suite, the escort said to the secretary—a female Yeoman, “I’ve brought Willard Benson.  The Captain wanted to see him right away.”

“I’ll let him know you’re here,” she smiled sweetly.

Moments later, the intercom blared, “Send in Benson.  Have the escort wait.”

Will was directed to the open office door and heard, “Enter!”  He stood in front of the massive desk while the Captain finished reading something.  Will instantly disliked the officer.  Part of the reason was the brusqueness of his commands (‘Send in Benson!  Have the escort wait!’).  He probably hadn’t used the words ‘please’ or ‘thank you’ for years.  That showed a complete disregard of the feelings of those around him whom he expected to be blindly obedient and no more than thoughtless servants to his needs.  Another cause of Will’s dislike was the array of ribbons that spanned the area of his uniform from the breast pocket almost to his shoulder.  It was a blatant display of status that uncomfortably reminded Will of his father’s obsession with recognition and prestige.  Foremost among the reasons was that Will had ample reason to believe this man was a homophobic bigot capable of — and even eager to — torment and persecute anyone who didn’t worship at the altar of pious (i.e., heterosexual) morality.

Several minutes passed while the officious Captain ignored Will whose impatience gradually transformed into irritation.  He knew what was to come and did not fear it; he just wanted to get it over with because it would take him one step closer to being with the man he loved.

Finally, the Captain looked up and glared at Will before brusquely saying, “We have evidence and testimony that you are homosexual and have engaged in illicit behavior.  Do you admit or deny the charge?”

“Both are true, Sir.  I’m gay and in a monogamous relationship with another man.”

“Are you aware of the consequences of that disgusting behavior?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Have you anything to say in your defense that would mitigate the punishment?”

“No, Sir.  Except that I fulfilled my duties on board the Brighton with honor and never violated military policy while there.”

“Goddamn it, Benson!  You violated military policy when you enlisted as a queer!”

Will did not respond.

“ESCORT!” the Captain yelled.  “Take this piece of shit to Security.  And tell them he’s to have no contact with his fag friend, Simpson.”

<><><><><> 

Billy and Will were confined in separate rooms in the Security building for several hours.  Neither was allowed out except to use the toilet and then only when accompanied by a Security Officer. 

The boredom was bad but wondering and worrying about his lover weighed heavily on both Will and Billy.  They had no regrets about making the videotape and remained hopeful that their discharge would be ‘under honorable conditions’ as Rod and David said was a possibility after being cooperative and honest in the interrogations.

Billy was startled when the door to the conference room was unlocked and an unknown Officer walked in.  “I’m Lieutenant Halverson from Naval Legal Services.  It seems a recommendation for involuntary separation was sent to the Base Commander who, as a matter of routine protocol, sent me to see you.  I’m here to advise you of your rights.  If you don’t mind, I’ll get right down to business because I have to see another sailor with the same problem.”

“Don’t mind a bit,” Billy said.  “I ‘spose the other sailor is Will Benson.”

“I can’t reveal that information.  Now, you’re accused of being homosexual and engaging in homosexual activity.  Are you?  Did you?”

“Yes, Sir.  Me and my partner love one ‘nother and do stuff t’gether.”

“And did this activity occur aboard ship or on military property?”

“No, Sir.  We was clean as a whistle when on duty.  It happened whilst we was on leave ... off Base.”

“I understand there’s a videotape of you and another sailor having sex.  Is that right?”

“Yes, Sir.  We made it for our own use.  Still can’t figure out what happened to it.”

“Apparently it was lost or stolen and sent anonymously to one of the Command Staff here on the base.  What did you say when you were interviewed about it?”

“The truth!  I’m gay.  I wasn’t about to lie.  That would be wrong.”  Billy stopped himself, remembering David’s advice to give direct answers but not to elaborate or justify homosexuality.

“With the video and your admission of homosexuality during the interview, it seems you have no viable defense.  According to the Universal Code of Military Justice, homosexuality mandates involuntary separation.  It could be worse.  If the sex was forced on someone ... or with a minor ... or in public, for example.  That would require a Court Martial.  Nevertheless, you have a right to request a hearing from an Administrative Discharge Board that will be appointed by the Base Commander.  You can then defend yourself against the charges with the help of a civilian attorney or a military lawyer appointed by the Base Commander.  If you waive that right, the paperwork will be processed to discharge you from the Navy.  Any questions so far?”

Billy understood what he had been told but wanted to hear the good news again so he said, “’Scuse me for bein’ slow but yur tellin’ me that with the tape ‘n’ all, there ain’t no chance o’ stayin’ in the Navy.  Even if’n I tell my side o’ the story to some kinda Board o’ Navy types.”

“That’s right.  But I’m obligated to give you the opportunity to appear before the board.”

“Don’t see no sense in that.  I’m gay.  They have proof.  Guess they’s gonna kick me out.”

The Officer handed Billy a form and said, “This is a legal document that says you waive your right to a hearing.  All you have to do is sign on the bottom.”

Billy signed the form and said. “Done!”

“Before I go, I have some good news for you.  Since you’re being discharged with less than 180 days of continuous military service it will be an Entry Level Separation with no characterization of the service.”

“What’s that mean?”

“It means a General Discharge without any reference to ‘under honorable conditions’ or ‘under other than honorable conditions’.”

“That’s good, ain’t it?”

For the first time, the Navy attorney smiled.  “Not perfect but good.  You’ll have less difficulty finding employment.  But it will be up to the Veterans Administration to decide about benefits like health care and GI Bill.  I have to be honest and say that those things are very unlikely for those receiving an Entry Level Separation.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go see another sailor.”

“Can I ask one more question, Sir?

“Certainly.”

“When can I get outta here?  It’s like bein’ in jail or somethin’”

“The Commander has signed an order to grant what we call a ‘restricted release.’ Based on what you’ve told me, I see no reason to believe there’s any probability that you will cause harm to others or to the Armed Forces.  That means you can leave the Base but not the San Diego area until your discharge is finalized.  I’ll give the order to the Chief of Security when I leave here.”

“Thanks, Sir.  “I’m goin’ loony locked up in here.”

The attorney left without saying anything.  Even the door locking behind him didn’t bother Billy because he now had hope — hope of getting out of ‘lock-up’ — hope of leaving the Navy with a relatively clean record — and most of all hope of uniting with his lover again.

The ensuing conversation with Will was a near replay of the one with Billy except that Will asked more questions about the discharge, restricted release, returning uniforms, and other details.  Less than an hour later, two ecstatic, soon to be ex-sailors walked out of the main gate of the Base.  While walking toward Rod’s home Billy said, “We done it, Will!  We’s free.  We can be partners.”

“That’s true,” grinned Will.  “Now we can figure out how to deal with the rest of our problems.”

“Whatcha mean?  Ever’thin’ worked out just like we wanted.”

“Well ... the biggest problem will be telling our families why we left the Navy.  That, of course, means we have to decide whether to tell them it was because we’re gay or make up a lie to tell them.  But let’s not worry about that just yet.  Let’s celebrate our freedom.”

“I got an idea how t’ do that,” Billy said impishly.  “We can get naked and I’ll show ya how much I loves ya.”

“You’re a horny stud!” Will laughed.

“And why shouldn’t I be?  Ya got a won’erful body and I loves ya!”

Several paces further on, Will said, “We’ve got other problems, too.  Like deciding where to live and getting jobs.  But let’s not worry about that now.  We’ve got plenty of time to discuss it while waiting for the Discharge papers to clear.”

When they arrived at Rod’s house, they were disappointed (but not surprised) that Rod and David were there.  It would mean they would have to delay their love making until bedtime.  The disappointment was short-lived, however, because upon relating their experience with the interrogations and detention, there was cheering, congratulations, joyous laughter, and hugging all around.

He hadn’t discussed it with Billy but Will said anyway, “We’re tremendously grateful to both of you.  Rod, you’ve been kind and hospitable in letting us stay here in your home.  David, your idea for the videotape was a stroke of genius and worked out perfectly.  In appreciation, we’d like to take you both out to dinner.  Some place nice for a fine meal.”

“That’s sweet, Will,” Rod said.  “But.....”

Will immediately interrupted.  “No buts!  And no excuses.  It’s what we really want to do and it’s trivial compared to what you’ve done for us.”

To be continued...

AUTHOR’S REMINDER:  This story takes place  in the early 1970s — three decades before “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and four decades before its repeal — when the military’s discrimination against homosexuals was official policy and ubiquitous.