Reading Room Document

Presidential Authority to Act in the Case of Eddie Slovik

The document discusses the President's authority to act in the case of Eddie D. Slovik, who was executed for desertion in 1945. The conclusion reached is that the President has no power to review or overturn the decision of the Secretary of the Army, and even a posthumous pardon would not remove the disability imposed by statute on his widow to receive the life insurance proceeds. The document presents questions for review regarding the President's power of review over the Slovik case, as well as the potential use of the pardon power to restore the right to payment of the insurance policy.

September 9, 1977