In Re Beck

This matter was originally referred to Vice-Chancellor Lewis, and, upon his retirement, was re-referred to me. It involves an appeal from an order of the Surrogate of Bergen County, denying probate to a document alleged to be the will of a soldier.

The facts are not in dispute. The decedent, Edward A. Beck, a resident of Wood-Ridge, in Bergen County, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on July 10th, 1939. He was discharged May 3d 1946. On May 20th, 1946, while in the State of Nevada, Beck was killed. He had married on August 6th, 1942.

On January 30th, 1946, Edward A. Beck, while in the…