Document: 381 U.S. 41 85 S.Ct. 1293 14 L.Ed.2d 205 MARYLAND, for the Use of Nadine Y. LEVIN, Sydney L. Johns, et al., Petitioners,v.UNITED STATES. No. 345. Argued March 15, 1965. Decided May 3, Theodore E. Wolcott, New York City, petitioners. David Rose, Washington, D.C., respondent. Mr. Justice HARLAN delivered opinion Court. 1 The question we decide here is whether a civilian employee and military member National Guard an 'employee' United States purposes Federal Tort Claims Act when his unit not in active federal service.1 2 Petitioners' decedents were passengers on Capital Airlines plane that collided over Maryland with jet trainer assigned to Air Guard. only survivor accident was pilot trainer, Captain McCoy, it disputed collision caused by negligence. estates co-pilot plane, itself, filed suit against under District Court Columbia, recovered judgments. Appeals Columbia Circuit affirmed, v. State Maryland, Meyer, 116 U.S.App.D.C. 259, 322 F.2d 1009, cert. denied, 375 954, 84 445, 11 314, motion leave file petition rehearing pending, 543, 1963 Term, 380 —-, —-. Meanwhile, petitioners similar Western Pennsylvania, all parties agreed proceed solely record made Meyer case. rendered judgment petitioners, but Third reversed. 329 722. We granted certiorari, 379 877, 149, 13 85, resolve conflict between two Circuits this single record, and, more broadly, settle authoritatively basic stated at outset which core other litigation arising out same disaster, now pending number courts different parts country.2 3 McCoy held commission from Governor as officer Guard, he served alternate Saturdays fighter Squadron Maintenance Officer 104th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. During rest month employed capacity Aircraft Chief 32 U.S.C. § 709 (1958 ed.), socalled 'caretaker' statute.3 In supervised maintenance squadron aircraft owned States. On day accident, had obtained permission superior take passenger flight order interest joining principal factual dispute below time performing duties or capacity. A line cases appeals beginning Holly, 192 221 (C.A.10th Cir., 1951), has 'caretakers' are employees Act.4 Another been equally consistent treating members States, Government.5 do deal question, decision turned,6 since, agreement views Judge Smith7 disagreement case, hold both capacities Hence cannot be liable negligence either I. 4 modern Militia reserved Statees Art. I, 8, cl. 16, Constitution.8 It recent years organized force, capable being assimilated ease into regular establishment From days Minutemen Lexington Concord until just before World War various militias embodied concept citizen army, lacked equipment training necessary their use integral part reserve force Armed Forces.9 passage Defense 191610 materially altered status constituting them Pursuant power vested Congress Constitution (see n. 8), uniformed, equipped, trained much way subject standards 'federalized' units, rather than drafting individual soldiers.11 return, authorized allocation provided compensation supplementing any state emoluments. Governor, however, remained charge each except called service; most instances administered through Adjutant General,12 who required report periodically Bureau, organization, guard's status.13 structure 1916 preserved present day. 5 Section 93 payment funds employment responsible upkeep allocated Guard.14 This section later amended make explicit caretaker could officers would receive full-time salary caretakers, addition service Guard.15 legislative history these amendments makes clear General appoint serve appointees met requirements established authorities.16 II. 6 argued employees, even though they paid must conform strict satisfy promotion standards. Their appointment authorities immediate control exercised apparent so have uniformly held. See 5, supra. Civilian caretakers should considered occupying status. Caretakers, like also observe maintain positions.17 Although property, property responsible, its purpose keeping militia ready 7 'That condition precedent issue Act, State, Territory, desiring such shall adequate provision, satisfaction Secretary War, protection care * *.'18 8 damage loss charged unless determined unavoidable.19 Caretakers appointed 90 thus perform function, Guard.20 termed 'backbone' Guard,21 personnel duty units during greater year. Like counterpart, General,22 him performance daily duties. They can discharged promoted him.23 treated Social Security Act,24 retirement funds,25 regulations issued Department Force.26 As early 1920 Comptroller Treasury ruled entitled annual provisions applicable Department,27 reiterated 1941 General28 reflects position Defense.29 9 supra, decided 1951, since followed (n. 4, supra). Holly rested construction which, our view, supported history. original 'be detailed battery troop commander' (who employee), 14, 1935 statute provide concerned (here Force) 'shall designate person employ' caretaker.30 court read amendment mean directly acting agent. However, simply permit pool restrict those roster where allotted. Senate indicates envisaged continue authorities. stated: 10 'Section S. 2710 will authorize pooling caretakers. Under law select material. handling adjutant general proper official pool.'31 seems clear, then, no significant distinction intended method employing Cuard. 12 again 1954 accepted understanding amending (68 Stat. 1059, 42 418(b) (5) ed.)) coverage committee reports 'This provision establish separate group pursuant allotted Defense. These deemed State. does regard *.'32 1956 disbursing withhold salaries amounts needed systems. aware cases,33 authority '(t)hese although funds, employees. Accordingly, unable usual deduction employee's contribution system.' S.Rep.No. 2045, 84th Cong., 2d Sess. (1956). 15 1960 proposed extend include Guard.34 proposal rejected, bill finally passed provides administrative procedure whereby pay claims up $5,000 persons Naional personnel.35 includes liability personal injury attention indicating acts already covered Act.36 House reflect acceptance advocated Army included along counterparts.37 16 sum, conclude congressional authorizing practice recognition status, supervision unmistakably lead combination view well Government. requires negligent conduct McCoy.38 17 holding unmindful doubtless leaves suffered without effective legal redress losses.39 nevertheless find it, remitting aggrieved whatever requitement may appropriate Congress, affording remedies, unfortunately available 37), shown itself impervious moral demands distressing situations. 18 Affirmed. 19 DOUGLAS dissents. pertinent part: 28 1346 ed.): '(b) Subject chapter 171 title, district exclusive jurisdiction civil actions money damages, accruing after January 1, 1945, death wrongful act omission Government while within scope office employment, circumstances if private person, claimant accordance place occurred.' 2671: 'As used sections 1346(b)( 2401(b) term— "Federal agency' executive departments independent corporations primarily as, instrumentalities agencies contracttor "Employee government' agency, naval forces behalf agency capacity, temporarily permanently compensation.' 2674: 'The liable, respecting title relating tort claims, manner extent circumstances, prior punitive damages.' informed Illinois, Ohio, York. 1916, 90, 39 166, amended, '(a) prescribe, spent competent material, armament, Force rpescribe, subsection clerical incidental interfere caretaker. Enlisted civilians section. one caretaker, enlisted member. Compensation otherwise '(c) prescribed concerned, Puerto Rico, Canal Zone, placed common care, maintenance, storage. Not pools. '(d) commissioned grade major set (c) Commissioned '(e) Funds appropriated several Territories, hire clerks. '(f) fix clerks section, employ them.' Elmo 197 230 (C.A.5th Cir.); Duncan, 233 Courtney 112, 57 A.L.R.2d 1444 (C.A.2d Wendt, 242 854 (C.A.9th Cir.). Williams 189 607 Dover 431 McCranie 199 581 Storer Broadcasting Co. 251 268 Bristow 309 465 (C.A.6th Pattno 311 604 Blackwell 321 96 majority held, contrary Court, accident. Of panel, Hastie did reach embraced Staley accord Meyer. Power 'To calling forth execute Laws Union, suppress Insurrections repel Invasions; organizing, arming, disciplining, Militia, governing Part Service reserving respectively, Appointment Officers, Authority according discipline Congress.' generally, Wiener, Clause Constitution, 54 Harv.L.Rev. 181 (1940). 166 (1916). 111, 672 (1964 ed.). 9. 314 66, 314(d) 'Funds support help animals, thereof, prescribe: Provided, That men compensated, exceed five troop, duly therein commander, Columbia.' 205. June 19, 1935, 49 391. S.Rep. 635, 74th 1st Sess., pp. 2—3, quoted infra, p. 51. Detailed Regulation 40—01, dated December 20, (hereinafter ANGR 40—01), Manual 1958. 83, 203, 204, 702(d) Id., 87, 710 20 1926 limited per squadron, 'an constantly flying field training.' H.R.Rep. 1031, 69th explaining enacted 28, 1926, 44 673, 709(d) 785, Training, course, 91 Constitution. 21 Hearings Subcommittee Appropriations Committee, 1303. 22 40—401, 3(b), 7(a). 23 3. 24 Aug. c. 531, 620, 25 1956, 390, 70 283, 84d 26 provides: 'Air (21 Comp Gen Dec. 305).' 27 Comp.Dec. 344 (1920). Comp.Gen. 305 (1941). 29 1502, 86th 6; 1928, 6. 30 Supra, 709(f) ed.) (emphasis supplied). 31 2—3. 1987, 83d 45—46; 1698, 50. 33 4. 34 1764 H.R. 5435, 35 September 13, 1960, 74 878, 715 ed., Supp. IV). If claim deems meritorious award certify balance action. 36 11; Committee Judiciary 5435 9315, 7. 37 1502 supra; cover involved cases, occurred 38 Petitioners contend judgments given collateral estoppel effect here, Restatement Judgments 93, comment b; Developments Law Res Judicata, 65 818, 865, 870—871 (1952); see Lines, Inc., 216 F.Supp. 709, aff'd grounds sub nom. Inc. 335 writ dismissed Rule 60, 951, 452, 549. reject Government's contention point below. Having fact came down interval argument Levin, think challenge properly timely raised Levin. need merits 43, supra), must, event, fall consequence us. not, far know, waived sovereign immunity, eligible benefits 715, 35.

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