Tom C. Clark

“ For that reason we hold that the foster mother, Julie Peters, as the sole survivor of those who 'last bore' the parental relationship, in her own right must take all accrued policy proceeds.
Reversed.
Mr. Justice FRANKFURTER and Mr. Justice JACKSON, for the reasons stated in the dissenting opinion of Mr. Justice JACKSON in United States v. Henning, 344 U.S. 66, 73 S.Ct. 114, dissent from the Court's refusal to permit the deceased beneficiary's estate to share in the proceeds. ”

“ Henning, supra, we hold that estates of deceased beneficiaries may not take proceeds under the Act. The award to John J. Peters' personal representative must therefore fall. In regard to the natural father's claim, the District Court's findings sharply reveal that William Baumet long before his son's death had 'abandoned his son' and ceased to be a parent in truth and fact. He may not now retrieve the discarded paternal robes to lay claim to the policy proceeds ”