Robert Cutler

Born in Massachusetts in 1895, Robert Cutler was originally a writer. After graduating from Harvard College, he wrote two novels. He soon joined the army in WW1, and after the war, went to Harvard Law School. After serving on a council for the Mayor of Boston, he joined the army again in WW2. There, Cutler served as a colonel and received the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit. After the war, he helped Eisenhower run for president and became the first national security advisor. Later in 1955, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his service. Unfortunately, as one of the President’s main advisors during the Cold War Era, Cutler helped Eisenhower draft Executive Order 10450. The order banned queer people from federal employment, which set off a witch hunt known as the Lavender Scare. This order was supported most by Joseph McCarthy, who wanted to root out Communists and “subversives” (which is how he referred to queer people). Cutler, along with FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, were both closeted, and risked loosing their jobs if they admitted to having queer relationships. Cutler himself was in love with Skip Koons, a gay navel officer. Although some knew about his sexuality, they never exposed him. Cutler never married, and died in 1974.