Woman Marine Ousters Probed, Evening Star (Article, September 1955)

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Woman Marine Ousters Probed

SANTA ANA, Calif., Sept. 12 (AP).--Inquiry into the discharge of five women Marines from nearby El Toro Marine Air Station was pressed today by Representative Utt, Republican of California.

The five claimed they were discharged as undesirable without hearing or court-martial proceeding on accusations of homosexual tendencies, which they deny.

Mr. Utt said he has asked Brig. Gen. Alexander W. Kreiser, jr., El Toro commandant, for details of the dismissals. The Congressman indicated he will seek an investigation.

Gen. Kreiser denied the discharges were illegal. The Public Information Office issued a statement saying the undesirable discharges were made in the last two weeks by order of the Marine Corps or Defense Department in Washington. Further investigation is being made in other cases, it was said.

The Marine [statement] did not mention homosexuality, but Mr. Utt said the women told him such allegations were made falsely against them.

"They told me that I was the only person to whom they could come as they had been denied services of the base chaplain and legal counsel." Mr. Utt said. "If they are not receiving the kind of discharge to which they are entitled, then I want to know about it."

At least seven other women were reported to have been questioned by the base's Criminal Investigation Division.