Coming Out Under Fire by Allan
Berube
In-Depth, Scholarly, Yet Engaging
Allan Berube chronicles the story of the thousands of gay men and lesbian
women who were among those proudly serving their country during the
World War II years. Coming Out Under Fire is an invaluable contribution
not only to gay history, but also to an aspect of our military history that is
often ignored yet still affects thousands of GIs and veterans.
Personal Review: Coming Out Under Fire by Allan Berube
"Coming Out Under Fire: The History of Gay Men and Women in World
War II," by Allan Berube, is a fascinating and well-written piece of
American history. The author draws from a rich variety of sources in order
to tell this story. Among the topics he covers are the following: the process
of being inducted into the armed forces in that era, the experiences of gay
people in the training phase, gay social life stateside (particularly in the
major port cities), the threat of harassment by military police, the role of

military psychiatrists in our culture's evolving understanding of
homosexuality, and the experiences of gay soldiers in combat.
Berube also reveals the tensions that occurred within the military
establishment as efforts were made to refine and reform policies dealing
with homosexuality. He discusses the interrogation and imprisonment of
gay troops. Other interesting topics covered are gay slang and coded
language, and the use of female impersonators in GI shows like "This Is
the Army."
The book includes a number of black-and-white photographs and
reproductions. There is also a note on sources used, such as interviews,
letters, and government documents. There are also extensive endnotes.
Throughout the book, Berube brings forth the voices of many WW2
veterans. Ultimately he looks at the impact of WW2 on the evolution of
gay culture and political activism. I consider this book to be an essential
companion to Randy Shilts' monumental "Conduct Unbecoming: Gays &
Lesbians in the U.S. Military," which focuses on the post-WW2 era.
"Coming Out Under Fire" is a remarkable achievement: poignant and
inspiring, it is a valuable addition to the fields of both lesbian and gay
studies and military history.
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