Holmes v. United States

OPINION AND ORDER

LETTOW, Judge.

This military benefits ease involves tragic circumstances. Thomas Holmes served honorably in the United States Navy from 1971 until he retired as a Sonar Technician First Class in 1993. He died in a motor vehicle accident in 2006, leaving behind his former wife of twenty-six years, plaintiff Noreen Holmes, and his wife of just over one year, defendant-intervenor Linda Holmes. Pursuant to the terms of Noreen and Thomas Holmes’ divorce decree, Ms. Noreen Holmes had been receiving a monthly payment of Mr. Holmes’ retirement benefits, which ceased upon Mr. Holmes’…