Document: 329 U.S. 539 67 S.Ct. 448 91 L.Ed. 485 PATTERSON, Secretary of War, et al.v.LAMB. No. 229. Argued Jan. 7, 1946. Decided 20, 1947. Mr. Frederick Bernays Wiener, Providence, R.I., for petitioners. Mr.Roger Robb, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion Court. 1 On October 28, 1944, respondent brought this action in United States District Court Columbia against then War and Adjutant General Army.1 He prayed a judgment declaring that he had served Army from November 11, 1918 (Armistice Day) until 14, 1918, service was entitled to certificate honorable discharge Army, instead 'Discharge Draft' which been issued him. also mandatory injunction compel issuance him Army. 2 The complainant alleged on 9, received communication his local draft board directing report at Davenport, Iowa, 'immediate military service' 9 a.m., stating day hour would be 'a soldier States'; reported as ordered, made leader drafted group there assembled train mobilization camp Camp Dodge, Iowa; during told because Armistice call canceled; other draftees not go but could return home, still soldiers, await further orders; four days later notice by telegraphic order Provost Marshal, acting under instructions President, all induction orders throughout Nation canceled, registrants, who, like himself, inducted entrained, were discharged Army; cancellation their have effect January, 1919, dated Draft,' accompanying check dollars ($4.00) bearing notation 'Final Pay'; foregoing circumstances always assumed an obtained certain tax exemptions State Iowa ground such discharge, authoritatively denied reason decision supreme court, Lamb v. Kroeger, 233 730, 8 N.W.2d 405; it after applied General. 3 sustained petitioner's motion dismiss complaint failed state cause act relief granted. Other grounds motion, passed Court, justiciable, barred laches, type matter solely within discretion subject judicial review. Appeals reversed, rejecting set up dismiss. 154 F.2d 319. This holding only decided important questions concerning power Department, upset twenty-five years Department rulings practices affected, will hereafter affect, status claims thousands First World War. called our review, we granted certiorari, 695, 66. 4 Whether what extent courts review or control Department's fixing certificates soldiers,2 is question need here determine; nor decide whether should dismissed laches. For are satisfied its granting rather than soldiers who performed having become fully finally absorbed into service. 5 statute directly bears upon 'certificates discharge' enlisted men, Article 108, out below,3 does particularly prescribe types contents authorized But pursuant authority Congress,4 many ago promulgated Regulation 150 provided three discharge: honorable, dishonorable, unclassified.5 An one whose conduct warrant reenlistment. regulation well suited fit cases ordinary conditions, seen course regular routine. face, however, shows how poorly adapted extraordinary bound develop connection with nation-wide program passing acceptances, rejections, discharges progress homes complete final integration So, passage 1917 Draft Act, 40 Stat. 76, 50 U.S.C.A.Appendix, § 201 seq., January 12, Circular 651 provision men distinguished provision, when induction, particular, though necessarily exclusive, reference rejected another camps boards. despite fact became law duty moment arrival entrainment board, Selective Service 174—176 they nevertheless accepted service, camp.6 And assigned full-fledged soldiers. 6 Discharge Form 638, referred 651, originally prepared 'on account physical unfitness, dependency, etc.' 638 use long prior respondent's rejection Government did services Armistice. Had declared, gone any there, received, Draft.' Yet asked give regulations construction, contrary Army's whereby respondent, got no farther stand better tens came much closer ever did. 7 argument support contention headquarters Day, canceled about 155,000 ready entrainment, them 'discharged Army.' same stated 'The issue formal papers considered determined later' purpose 'merely cancel outstanding calls stop thereunder 'the 'later' considered, resulted 111 1918. That circular follow-up President's Day order, foreshadowed prescribed definiteness 'formal others receive. It No previous situation developed necessary President halt processing these direct homes. When new arose, certainly province provide solution by, among things, issuing those returned home appropriate form certificate, variety, 'discharge draft,' some special designed specifically occasion. Respondent before reached processing. His adequately indicates facts. demands more. Reversed. whom instituted longer office; successors properly substituted parties. See Denby Berry, 51 App.D.C. 335, 279 F. 317; Id., 263 29, 44 74, 68 148; Davis Woodring, 72 83, 523; Palmer States, Ct.Cl. 401; Wilbur ex rel. Kadrie, 281 206, 59 320, 74 809; cf. 58 286, 38 U.S.C.Supp. IV, 693h, U.S.C.A. 693h. 'No man, lawfully shall said without signed field officer regiment oth r organization man belongs * *.' 39 619, 668. 18 337, 10 U.S.C. 16, 16; see Eliason, 16 Pet. 291, 301, 302, 968. Paragraph Regulations 1913, corrected April 15, 1917, follows: '150. Blank forms statements furnished General's retained personal custody company commanders. used purpose, classes: dishonorable discharge. 'They '1. blank solider's has reenlistment honest faithful. '2. sentence court martial commission. '3. except specified sections paragraph (C.A.R. Nos. 14 34).' Cf. Gibson Dodez 338, 301.

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