Description
Legal records, including briefs, memoranda,
trial transcripts, and judicial orders, of 1st Lt. (later Capt.) Ken Osborn,
USAR, relating to his participation as one of the named plaintiffs in
Able v. United States (1994-1998) and its
predecessor,
Doe v. Aspin (1993), the first
pro-active court challenge to the Clinton Administration's "Don't Ask, Don't
Tell" policy concerning gays in the military.
Background
Kenneth Lee Osborn was born in Santa Monica, California, in 1964. His
family moved to Huntington Beach, in Orange County, in 1966. He graduated from
Fountain Valley High School in 1982, and went on to California State University
Fullerton, where he received a B.A. in Communications in 1986. In February
1983, while still a student, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, where he
was trained as a field radio operator and where he remained for two years,
attaining the rank of Corporal. After a short tour with the California National
Guard, Osborn joined the Army ROTC program at California State University
Fullerton, where he held the positions of Junior Cadet Commander, Battalion
Supply Officer, and Senior Class Advisor. He also served concurrently as the
Public Affairs Officer of the 311th Corps Support Command. Upon his graduation
in 1986, Osborn was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve
and assigned as a platoon leader to the 361st Supply Company. He served in the
company about three years, ending his tour as its executive officer. He was
then assigned to the staff of the 155th Corps Support Battalion in South El
Monte, and by mid-June 1993 was serving as a 1st Lieutenant in the 304th
Material Management Center in West Los Angeles.
Extent
2 archive boxes.
(1 linear foot).
Restrictions
Researchers wishing to publish materials must obtain permission in
writing from ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives as the physical owner.
Researchers must also obtain clearance from the holder(s) of any copyrights in
the materials. Note that ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives can grant
copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold the copyright.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for
all other materials directly from the copyright holder(s).
Availability
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access
restrictions.