United States v. Christensen

PICKETT, Circuit Judge.

Irene Christensen brought this action to recover as the beneficiary of a $5000 National Service Life Insurance Policy issued on the life of her son, Eugene Lee Gustin. The complaint alleged that the son disappeared on or about August 29, 1944 while serving on a United States Naval vessel. It was also alleged that the disappearance was complete for more than seven years, and that the insured was presumed to be dead. The United States in its answer admitted that a claim had been filed by the plaintiff; denied that the claim had been rejected; and, among other defenses,…