Blue discharge

The blue discharge replaced older forms of discharge without honor in 1916. It needed no court-martial and was given for reasons such as long absence without leave, fraudulent enlistment, poor performance or "undesirable traits of character." In World War II it was used against gay soldiers and, out of all proportion, against Black soldiers.

Holders were denied G.I. Bill benefits by the Veterans Administration and often struggled to find work. After criticism in the press and Congress, the blue discharge was dropped in 1947 and replaced by general and undesirable discharges.