Allen R. Schindler Jr. | |
---|---|
Born | Chicago Heights, Illinois, US | December 13, 1969
Died | October 27, 1992 Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan | (aged 22)
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Navy |
Rank | E4 Radioman 3rd Class |
Allen R. Schindler Jr. (December 13, 1969 – October 27, 1992) was an American Radioman Petty Officer Third Class in the United States Navy who was murdered for being gay. He was killed in a public toilet in Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan, by Terry M. Helvey, who acted with the aid of an accomplice, Charles E. Vins, in what Esquire called a "brutal murder".[1][2] The case became synonymous with the debate concerning LGBT members of the military that had been brewing in the United States, culminating in the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy.[2]
Schindler's family was only able to identify him by the tattoos on his arms.[3] His killing remained front-page news throughout the spring of 1993.[4] The case was later featured in The New York Times and Esquire.[3][5] The events surrounding Schindler's murder were the subject of ABC's 20/20 episode and were portrayed in the 1997 TV film Any Mother's Son.[6] In 1998, Any Mother's Son won a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Made for TV Movie.[7]