Gay Soldier Demoted for Unauthorized Display of Award

Complaining that he wore a commendation ribbon for an award he had not yet received, the Army on Thursday demoted Jose M. Zuniga, a decorated sergeant and soldier of the year who announced three weeks ago that he is gay.

Zuniga was reduced from sergeant to a specialist rank at an administrative hearing conducted by his commanding officer at the Presidio in San Francisco. Zuniga had been recommended for the Meritorious Service Medal but the commendation had not been finally approved, and Zuniga thus should not have worn the ribbon on his uniform, said Lt. Col. Steven Fredericks, chief of public affairs for the Presidio.

“It’s an integrity problem,” said Fredericks, who had recommended the award based on Zuniga’s work as a journalist at the Presidio. “We are what we wear because we’ve earned those things.”

Fredericks said he and others at the Presidio noticed the red and white meritorious service ribbon while watching TV coverage of Zuniga, who disclosed his homosexuality on the eve of last month’s gay rights march in Washington.

As a result of the revelation, Zuniga, 24, is being honorably discharged from the Army and probably will leave the service within a week. Although gay service members can be placed on unpaid standby reserve while Congress reviews President Clinton’s plan to drop the military ban on homosexuals, Zuniga chose the discharge.

Zuniga, who was named the 6th Army’s Soldier of the Year for 1992, explained in a statement he presented at Thursday’s hearing that he spoke to someone in the military personnel office before leaving for Washington and was told the commendation had been approved.

“I came out (of the closet) because I didn’t want to live a lie,” Zuniga told Associated Press. “It doesn’t make sense for me to lie about something as basic as one ribbon. I have five Army Commendation Medals. Why would I add one more and put myself through this horror?

“I was devastated this morning when I heard the punishment,” Zuniga said. “The most important thing to take from a soldier is his rank. I love the Army and I hope (the reason for this) is not the reason that is resonating my mind--that the Army would like to see me leave with a bloody nose.”