Moore

This is an action by plaintiff Pamela Moore, widow of Lieutenant Charles Ray Moore, to recover the proceeds of a National Service Life Insurance Policy (N. S.L.I.) in the amount of $10,000 on the life of Lt. Moore. The policy was originally issued on December 23, 1943, and was in full force and effect on the date of Lt. Moore’s death on or about April 19, 1953. The parents of Lt. Moore, defendants Eva Lorraune Stillwell Moore and Charles M. Moore, were designated in the policy as the principal and contingent beneficiary, respectively, at the time of its issuance. The plaintiff Pamela Moore was the wife of Lt. Moore from the date of their marriage on June 7, 1949, until his death. The plaintiff widow filed with the United States a claim to the benefits of the policy within a month after the death of Lt. Moore. This claim was disallowed, and plaintiff instituted the present action on April 23, 1954. She alleged that the insured, Lt. Moore, changed the beneficiary of the policy and named her as the principal beneficiary. The trial was had without a jury, and the question presented is whether or not the insured changed the beneficiary of this policy in favor of the plaintiff. We find…