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History Daily

1226: The Murder Behind ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

History Daily

History Daily

History

4.42.1K Ratings

🗓️ 27 October 2025

⏱️ ? minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

October 27, 1992. United States Navy radioman Allen R. Schindler, Jr. is  murdered by a shipmate for being gay, sparking a national debate that results in the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” military directive. This episode originally aired in 2024.


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Transcript

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0:00.0

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0:04.1

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0:06.0

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0:10.6

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0:31.6

Thank you. It's 11.30 p.m. on October 27, 1992, Japan, and Sasebo, Japan.

0:39.1

22-year-old radio man, Alan R. Schindler Jr., walks along a riverside path, one of many American sailors making his way from the nearby U.S. Navy base to the bars and clubs of this small Japanese city.

0:44.4

But unlike many of his peers, Alan walks alone. For months, Alan has been ruthlessly bullied

0:50.6

and harassed by his shipmates for his supposed homosexuality. Alan never confirmed

0:55.7

their speculation until one month ago. Desperate for the abuse to end, Alan came out as gay

1:01.9

to the captain of his ship, the USS Bellow Wood. Because gay men are not allowed to serve,

1:08.1

the captain had no choice but to begin discharge proceedings against Alan.

1:12.3

But Alan doesn't mind. He's looking forward to a new start in a more tolerant career.

1:17.2

And in the meantime, he's happy to have recently found people who accept him here in Japan.

1:22.4

As he passes the entrance to Sasebo Park, Alan checks his watch.

1:26.9

Tonight he's on his way to meet three

1:28.5

gay Californian entertainers he met a few days ago on shore leave. He's still got a few minutes

1:33.5

before he's due at the karaoke bar, so Alan ducks into the park and heads to its public restroom.

1:39.1

He pushes open the door of the men's room and finds it empty. He walks over to a urinal,

1:43.7

and just as he begins to undo his zipper, he hears the sound of the men's room and finds it empty. He walks over to a urinal, and just as he begins to

1:45.2

undo his zipper, he hears the sound of footsteps. The door swings open and another man enters,

1:51.1

as Alan turns his head slightly to acknowledge his presence. The man slams his fist into Alan's skull.

1:58.0

Alan falls to the floor, and the man grabs him in a headlock. Alan struggles

...

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