Legal Document

355 U.S. 579 78 Supreme Court Reporter 433 2 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 503 John Henry HARMON, III, Petitioner,v.Wilber M. BRUCKER, Individually, and as Secretary of the Department Army. Howard D. ABRAMOWITZ, Petitioner, versus Wilber Nos. 80, 141. Argued Jan. 14, 15, 1958. Decided March 3, Mr. David I. Shapiro, New York City, for petitioner Harmon. Victor Rabinowitz, Abramowitz. Donald baron MacGuineas, Washington, D.C., respondent. PER CURIAM. 1 The Army, relying upon 10 Code KF62 § 652a1 (Act June 4, 1920, 1, Subch. II, 41 Statutes-at-Large 809, amended) 38 693h, Annotated KF65 U5 693h 22, 1944, 58 286, amended), Defense Army Regulations deemed to be authorized by those statutes, discharged petitioners from issued each them a discharge certificate in form other than 'honorable.' In so doing, he took into account preinduction activities rather basing his action exclusively record their military service. After having exhausted available administrative remedies, separately brought these proceedings District seeking judgments declaring determinations actions void excess powers under circumstances, directing him issue 'honorable' certificates them. Being view that it was without jurisdiction consider actions, dismissed them, 137 F.Supp. 475, Appeals affirmed with one judge dissenting, 100 U.S.App.D.C. 190, 243 Federal Reporter, 2nd 613; 256, 834. We granted certiorari, 353 956, 77 863, 908, 354 920, 1383, 1435. respective contentions made here may summarized follows: 3 (1) Petitioners contend (a) acted powers, because statutes referred did not authorize, nor support when taken consideration petitioners' determining type discharges separation (b) respondent issuing less discharges, refusing review what they thought lack judicial power, deprived due process Fifth Amendment, trial Sixth Constitution; 4 (2) Respondent contends 652a, Congress required that, former soldier given 'a discharge, * manner prescribed *'; inasmuch all are ones, to, did, prescribe various types running gamut accolade 'Honorable discharge' odious 'Dishonorable discharge'; (c) directed establishment an Review Board power review, its own motion or soldier, issued, 'to change, correct, modify any dismissal, new accord facts presented board,' 'the findings thereof (shall) final subject only Army'; (d) Board, procedures afforded availed petitioners, were Army; (e) therefore, such procedure is exclusive courts findings. 5 keeping our duty avoid deciding constitutional questions unless essential proper disposition case, we look first nonconstitutional claim Congress. Generally, relief who has been injured act government official which express implied powers. American School Magnetic Healing McAnnulty, 187 94, 108, 23 33, 38, 47 L.Ed. 90; Philadelphia company Stimson, 223 605, 621—622, 32 340, 345, 56 570; Stark Wickard, 321 288, 310, 64 559, 571, 88 733. had determine but also construe involved whether exceed If so, would constitute exercises discretion, and, circumstances before us, this illegality available. Moreover, claims cases entertained have alleged judicially cognizable injuries. Cf. Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Committee McGrath, 341 123, 159, 160, 71 624, 642, 95 817, see Regulation 615—360, par. 7. 6 This brings us merits. Solicitor General conceded if respondent's standing bring suits, sustainable. On basis concession law conclude cannot sustained law. By provides no person service 'without discharge,' authority discharges. provided exercise authority. Surely two provisions must harmonious reading end on Secretary's reviewed coterminous allowed act. Section expressly requires 'shall based records (Army) relating requesting *.' think word 'records,' used statute, means service, properly construed, determined solely soldier's An authoritative construction congressional grant found regulations 615—375, 2(b) states: 'The purpose individual specify character rendered during period covered discharge.' (Emphasis supplied.) Army's 7 (which effect times involved), further 'Because significantly influence individual's civilian rights eligibility benefits law, pertinent factors considered will reflect accurately nature rendered. *' reversed remanded entitled light opinion. 8 Reversed. 9 Justice CLARK (dissenting). & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions affirm Judge Prettyman's opinion Appeals. Harmon Brucker, 613. Since does reach rejected Prettyman, however, appropriate add about Court's asserting reversing merits, namely, finding statutory 11 At outset well state Abramowitz, cases, do contend. They contest decision retention inconsistent national security, adopted violated legally protected rights. concede 'an absolute right object issuance underlying fact insisting honorable controversy thus confined servicemen activity render undesirable security risks. 12 Throughout history function granting entrusted President through him, Secretaries Armed Forces. time until today interfered function.1 evidenced over 70 years itself frequently enacted private bills correct given. legislation 1944 1946, creation boards transferred discharges2 effort conserve time.3 That makes provision review; contrary, Act states Discharge shall 'final (the Army),' 1946 Act, amended 1951,4 determination Correct Military Records conclusive officers Government except procured fraud.' When legislative expression finality viewed context uninterrupted culminated Congress' transfer bodies, said, absence specific grant, intended permit review.5 avoids considerations positing simply exceeded 13 reaching exceptional position, construes supra, 'all records' department involved, include concerning merely 'solely (concerned with) Army.' added.) limitation clear meaning words Congress—so 'all' mean 'some'—is lacking justification. 14 enable by-pass raised petitioners. It true 'unless case.' But it, rule should never compel transparently artificial statute. interpretation leave both quandary solution important problem involving country. 15 regretted at loggerheads However, frank confession hardly sufficient reason abandon long-established policy matters. injustice done confidence it. recourse direction.6 16 Prettyman aptly stated: 'Surely apply personnel same program policies loyalty applies *. (I)f (Harmon) can risk, risk. And surely data more relevant material (preinduction) habits, associations.' page 197, 620. commonly accepted among agencies screening employees. Those severance papers upon, reciting grounds. Such condition made. seems incongruous me services able much. require face falsifies real grounds issuance. Now §§ 3811, 8811. See numerous cited conclusion. 195, 618. Servicemen's Readjustment 301, 693h; Legislative Reorganization 207, 60 837, amended, 65 655, 191a, 191a. S.Rep. Number 1400, 79th Cong., Sess. Neither Administrative Procedure 237, 1001 et seq., application cases. Parenthetically, Selective Service 1948, authorizes promulgation covering prior expiration regular period, 62 606, 50 U.S.C.Appendix, 454(b), U.S.C.A.Appendix, specifically states, 'All functions performed title excluded operation 623, 463(b), 463(b). Orloff Willoughby, 1953, 345 83, 93—94, 73 534, 539—540, 97 842.

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