Lewis v. United States

WATKINS, District Judge.

The question to be decided in this case is who stood “in loco parentis” to Harvey Lewis, a 19-year-old - serviceman who died June 19, 1944. The answer will determine who is entitled to collect the proceeds of his National Service Life Insurance in the amount of $10,000.

Harvey Lewis was born April 24, 1925, and entered upon active service in the Navy on December 10, 1943. He designated as principal beneficiary “Curtis Blankenship, in loco parentis”. Curtis Blankenship was his brother-in-law. No contingent beneficiary was named. The insured was unmarried and without any…