AP Exclusive: World War II vet, ousted for being gay, finally receives ‘honorable’ discharge

[Pirate Smile]

AP Exclusive: World War II vet, ousted for being gay, finally receives ‘honorable’ discharge

SAN DIEGO — Nearly 70 years after expelling Melvin Dwork for being gay, the Navy is changing his discharge from “undesirable” to “honorable” — marking what is believed to be the first time the Pentagon has taken such a step on behalf of a World War II veteran since the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.”

The Navy notified the 89-year-old former corpsman last month that he will now be eligible for the benefits he had long been denied, including medical care and a military burial.

-snip-
“I resented that word ‘undesirable,’” said Dwork, who was expelled in 1944, at the height of the war, and is now a successful interior designer in New York. “That word really stuck in my craw. To me it was a terrible insult. It had to be righted. It’s really worse than ‘dishonorable.’ I think it was the worst word they could have used.”

The decision to amend his discharge papers was made by the Board for Corrections of Naval Records in Washington.
In its Aug. 17 proceedings, obtained by The Associated Press, the board noted that the Navy has undergone a “radical departure” from the outright ban on gays that was in place in 1944. The board pointed out Dwork’s “exemplary period of active duty” and said that changing the terms of his discharge was done “in the interest of justice.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/ap-exclusive-world-war-ii-vet-ousted-for-being-gay-finally-receives-honorable-discharge/2011/09/16/gIQAw6CHYK_story.html

"changing the terms of his discharge was done “in the interest of justice.”'

:patriot:

[kestrel91316]

1. We need to demand that this be done for ANYONE AND EVERYONE

who was discharged for being gay, not just this one person.

[Lasher]

2. You are right.

This type of retroactive DADT repeal should apply to all if it applies to any. I didn't see in the linked article how many days of active duty that Dwork had served. That should be part of the equation.

[Kurmudgeon]

3. I've got the feeling this is the first of many, I certainly hope so.

If not, then time to raise a ruckus!

[AlecBGreen]

4. wonderful news!

"The moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice" MLK Jr.

:bounce:

[jenmito]

5. K&R! It took way too long, but thanks to Obama for getting DADT repealed.

:patriot:

[lucca18]

6. So happy to hear this! nt

[SadPanda]

7. And people complain about the Obama presidency....

This is one of dozens of major changes that have taken place since Bush left office. You think this would have taken place under a McCain Presidency?

[NYC_SKP]

8. Wow.

kick

[great white snark]

9. Big K&R. Justice to you Melvin Dwork.

:patriot: