Crowley v. United States

388 F. Supp. 981
CourtDistrict Court, E.D. Wisconsin
DecidedFebruary 19, 1975
DocketCiv. A. 72-C-398
StatusPublished
Cited by9 cases

This text of 388 F. Supp. 981 (Crowley v. United States) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, E.D. Wisconsin primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Crowley v. United States, 388 F. Supp. 981 (E.D. Wis. 1975).

Opinion

DECISION AND ORDER

REYNOLDS, Chief Judge:

This is an action for injunctive relief in which an Army reservist seeks to restrain the Army from ordering him to active duty and require it to grant him a discharge. The Government has filed a motion to dismiss the complaint pursuant to Rules 12(b)(1), 12(b)(2), and 12 (b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or, alternatively, a motion for summary judgment under Rule 56. Plaintiff has also filed a motion for summary judgment-under Rule 56. All parties have supported their motions by affidavits and briefs. For the reasons hereinafter indicated, the Government’s *983 motions are denied, and the plaintiff’s motion is granted.

FACTS

On December 14, 1966, the plaintiff, then a dental student, filled out an application for his appointment in the Army Medical Service Early Commissioning Program. The relevant portions of that application are as follows:

“1. Under the provisions of AR 601-140, which I have read and understand, I hereby volunteer for participation in the Army Medical Service Early Commissioning Program and I agree * * * that I will
“a. Faithfully pursue toward completion an established course of study leading to a degree in Dentistry.
“b. Accept appointment as a Reserve commissioned officer of the Army * * *.
“e. Accept reappointment in the Dental Corps upon graduation, if tendered.
“2. I understand and agree—
“c. That the fact that I may be reappointed in the Medical, Dental, or Veterinary Corps of the Reserve of the Army upon graduation does not bind the United States Army to order me to extended active duty. I understand that my entrance on active duty will be contingent upon Army requirements at the time I am determined to be qualified for active duty, and that I hereby volunteer for entry on active duty when and if my services are required. If I am excess to the needs of the Active Army, I will be permitted to fulfill the remaining portion of my military obligation in the Ready Reserve. * * * ” (Emphasis added.)

The form has plaintiff’s signature at the end. It also contains a statement signed by the Registrar of Marquette University School of Dentistry to the effect that plaintiff was enrolled there and would graduate “on or about June, 1970.”

On January 10, 1967, plaintiff signed NGB Form 62, applying for federal recognition as a Second Lieutenant, Medical Service Corps, in the Army National Guard of Wisconsin, and for appointment as a reserve officer of the Army in the Army National Guard of the United States. In the “remarks” section of this form is typed: “To be reappointed 1LT, DC, upon graduation from Dental School.”

On January 23, 1967, plaintiff was appointed and commissioned in the Wisconsin Army National Guard. Federal recognition was extended on March 10, 1967, with an effective date of January 23, 1967. Orders appointing plaintiff a reserve commissioned officer of the Army were published on April 4, 1967, with the appointment effective as of January 23, 1967.

On August 12, 1968, plaintiff was released from his assignment with the Wisconsin National Guard since he had resigned to accept an appointment in the U.S. Army Reserve. On August 20,1968, the effective date of the change of strength accountability was changed to August 1, 1968. On November 18, 1968, orders were published which assigned plaintiff to the 312th Medical Detachment in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with an effective date of August 13, 1968.

On May 24, 1970, the plaintiff graduated from dental school.

Orders were published on August 5, 1970, transferring plaintiff from the 312th Medical Detachment to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Groups, with the effective date being June 1, 1970.

On August 20, 1970, plaintiff was appointed a First Lieutenant in the Dental Corps, U.S. Army Reserve. Plaintiff accepted this appointment on October 31, 1970.

On September 21, 1970, plaintiff wrote to Captain Lemieux at the U.S. Army Reserve Components Personnel Center in an attempt to clarify what his status was. In the letter he referred to a telephone conversation he had had with Captain Lemieux about a month before. On *984 October 5, 1970, the Army sent a form to the plaintiff acknowledging receipt of his letter of September 21 and promising that “reply could be expected in 30-45 days.” Apparently on the same date the Army Medical Department, Officer Management Section, headed by Captain Lemieux, sent a request for plaintiff’s file to the U.S. Army Administration Center.

On November 25, 1970, plaintiff called about his status, but apparently no information was available.

Finally on April 13, 1971, Lt. Col. Douglas, the Chief of the Delayed Officer Management Division of the U.S. Army Reserve Components Personnel Center wrote a letter to plaintiff in response to his inquiries. The relevant portions of this letter read:

“2. A review of your records indicate you accepted appointment in the Medical Service Corps as a Second Lieutenant on 21 April 1967 and were delayed to pursue studies leading to a degree in Dentistry. Your application for appointment indicates you were to receive this degree in June 1970.
“3. You were transferred to the control of the USAR Control Group (Officer Active Duty Obligor) USARCPC, Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana 46249 under Letter Orders 08-248 dated 5 August 1970; however your file was not received until November 1970.
“4. A full review of your records indicates you should have been scheduled to enter on active duty in the U.S. Army upon completion of your dental studies in June 1970.
“5. Based upon the above information * * * you will be scheduled for entry on active duty after 30 June 1971. * * (Emphasis added.)

On' May 4, 1971, plaintiff’s attorney requested a review of his file. Lt. Col. Douglas replied on June 3, 1971, in a letter where he stated:

“ * * * He [plaintiff] incurred an obligation to serve on active duty upon the receipt of his degree which he obtained in June 1970, provided his services were needed.
“A complete review of LT Crowley’s records, together with the current requirements for Dental Corps Officers on active duty, indicates he has to fulfill his contractual obligation which he incurred on 14 December 1966 in accordance with the provisions of AR 601-140.
“* * x- Action is presently being taken to promote LT Crowley to the ranks of 1 LT prior to his entry on active duty during the summer of 1971 for a period of two years. * * * ” (Emphasis added.)

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Bluebook (online)
388 F. Supp. 981, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/crowley-v-united-states-wied-1975.