The defendants were two retired enlisted men, who were prosecuted for carnal knowledge and manslaughter, both offenses having been allegedly committed several years after leaving active service with the Navy. Both pleaded guilty, and were imprisoned in the Washington State Penitentiary. On the day the men were released on parole, the Navy served them with orders, recalling them to active service for the purposes of being court-martialed because of the serious nature of the offense in each case. Additionally, each was given restricted status, the limits of which were defined as their barracks and the mess hall.