Perspective: Timeline of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

1778: The first soldier in the U.S. military is dishonorably discharged for homosexual sodomy and perjury. Sodomy is a crime under the Articles of War (the precursor to the Uniform Code of Military

1942: Recruitment screening and internal investigations begin to prevent or find homosexuals serving in the military.

Read the rest at Stars and Stripes (pdf file)