European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 27, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Fighting the War against military a Gay barriers my country my right to serve experiences of Gay men and women in the military world War ii to the present by Mary Ann Humphrey Harper Collins 285 pp., $19.95 Herbert Mitgang new York times Mary Ann Humphrey was a Captain in the army Reserve for nine years. By the army a own standards she had a perfect record. After receiving medals and commendations for her work As an administrative offi car she qualified for military intelligence As Well As for the quartermaster Branch. She intended to stay in the reserves at least 20 years. But suddenly capt. Humphrey was ques Tio cd about her sexual orientation by her male superiors denied promotion to major and forced to resign her commission in 1987. Her response to what she considers unjust and hypocritical regulations that have not followed the customs and Laws of civilian life is a my country my right to serve Quot a challenging and controversial work. Her Case histories cover the experiences of homosexuals and lesbians from. World War ii to the present. In the main these men and women served with distinction. Many volunteered for combat duty and were decorated. The Gay men and women interviewed by the author ranged from non commissioned officers to colonels. Some gave pseudonyms others allowed their names and photographs to be used because Leonard Matlovich with his honorable discharge in a 1975 photo was one who fought his discharge for being a homosexual. They Felt the subject should be brought out of the closet and  bring change. Two Gay servicemen who stood up against the Pentagon were air Force tech. Sgt. Leonard Matlovich and Navy Ensign Vernon Berg 3rd. They took their cases into the Federal courts and were partly vindicated and they Tell their stories of Public humiliation and of private courage in the Book. In a Federal appeals court Matlovich who died of aids in 1988, eventually received $160,000 in Back pay a promotion and an honorable discharge. The Headstone he chose for his grave reads a a Gay Vietnam Veteran. When i was in the military they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for Loving one. Berg now an artist was proud of the fact that the Admiral who headed the naval Academy when he graduated testified at his trial that he considered Berg to be in the top 10 percent of his class and would have no difficulty serving with him in combat. As a military matter there Are arguments on both sides the author gives the defense departments official reasoning for its stand. A1982 policy statement holds that homosexuality is incompatible with military service. It says that homosexuals adversely affect the. Ability of the armed forces to maintain discipline to Foster Mutual Trust to ensure the system of rank and command to prevent breaches of Security and to maintain the Public a respect for the military services. But the regulations against homosexuality sern to resemble the archaic Century old state statutes on sexual conduct which Are rarely enforced. Otherwise civilian courts sold jails would be bursting with consenting adults plus the military definition that leads to separation from the service contains bizarre All inclusive language a homosexual Means a person regardless of sex who engages in desires to engage in or intends to engage in homosexual  by contrast civilian Law covers an act not a gleam in the Eye. A comparison with past racial discrimination in the armed forces is repeatedly offered in the Book. Segregation existed in both world wars the korean and the Vietnam wars sped desegregation. Similarly it took a breakdown of prejudice to allow women to go to the military academics at West Point n.y., and Annapolis. Md., and to serve in Many military jobs. Humphrey who has a doctorate in education and now teaches at Portland Community College in Oregon says changes allowing homosexuals and lesbians to serve their country openly Are bound to come. The Book May help her cause. The Book is available at stars and stripes bookstores. Reviews Possession by . Byatt random House 555 pp., $22.95 when Roland Mitchell a scholar concerned with the life of a Robert Browning like poet discovers one of his subjects love letters he starts unravelling literary history and mysteries. While pursuing his investigation he encounters Maud Bailey an academic feminist and begins a relationship that parallels that of the poet and his woman. This is the plot but by no Means the Content of .byatt�?Ts ambitious intriguing and wonderful novel which As it unfolds becomes an exploration and examination of the nature of language literary influence and the changing values and mores that surround that most delicate of issues human sexuality. But that substructure a daunting As it can be in the More than 500 pages of this in every Way a a big Book a should not put the Reader off for a a a Possession is also a very very Good read. A. A thoughtful without being heavy handed a Possession a which won the Booker prize Britain a most coveted literary award a is one of the Best books of the season. David a Anderson United press International the potters Field by Ellis Peters mysterious press 230 pp., $16.95 brother cad Fael Monk herbalist and mystery solver is Back for his 17th Outing As an Amateur Sleuth attempting to rout medieval murder and mayhem. And for readers who Felt cad Faelz a creator was losing some of her touch Ellis Peters is Back at the top of her form in this latest Effort As she weaves an intriguing and intricate plot. As usual there is the fascinating medieval setting. This time it is August 1143. A substantial Meadow known As the potters Field once owned by the Potter Ruwald and his Beautiful wife has been Given to the Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul. But when the monks attached to the Abbey begin to plow the Field they turn up a body of a Young woman who has been dead a year or More. From there the mysteries a and the surprises a multiply. In some of her Best and most deft plot Manu Evering with a Large and. Interesting cast of characters a suspects All a Peters presents an intricate mystery with a startling and unsuspected conclusion. A great read. Margaret Hoven. United press International the fourth k by Mario Puzo random House 408 pp., $21.95 in his latest novel Mario a the a godfather Puzo plugs into the Kennedy legend for a Story of politics and terrorism that like his magnum opus has a frighteningly real flavor about it. Francis Xavier Kennedy the handsome Young Nephew of the slain Kennedy Brothers is president of the United states. A terrorist group has targeted the Pope for assassination and the presidents daughter for kidnapping in an audacious International operation. At the same time a homemade nuclear device ticks away in Midtown Manhattan. . Forces prepare to strike at the Oil Rich Arab nation that has aided the terrorists. Only a writer of Puzo a considerable Talent could weave All of these diverse elements into a plausible and highly readable plot that keep the Reader turning pages to the exciting finish. Edgar Miller United press International All books Are or will be available in stars an stripes bookstores. Mario Puzo Page 16 to plus sunday january 27, 1991