ARMED FORCES: Premonition

To Mrs. Georgia Crowley, justice of the peace in Fairfield, Calif. (pop. 3,118), the case was familiar, but she went to her file anyhow to reread it. The letter she drew forth was from Ensign Marvin Stuart Cohn, Naval Reserve pilot.

“The speeding ticket which I received at the able hands of Officer McDermott . . . was generous in listing my speed as 65, when both he and I knew I was going somewhat faster … I will be unable to appear as my ship has . . . sailed away with me upon it. I … fly a jet fighter airplane based on an aircraft carrier … I plead guilty [but] I would caution you to submit any financial claims rapidly because jet flying . . . has turned out to be somewhat hazardous. The odds are roughly three to one that if I don’t receive your assessment within the next six weeks you will receive an ‘addressee deceased’ letter in return. This may sound somewhat morbid, madam judge, but it is a sound evaluation …”

Justice of the Peace Crowley laid the letter beside the notice to appear in court, which had just been returned to her in the mail from the ensign’s home address. Onlit was written a note: “Ensign Marvin Stuart Cohn was killed in his jet plane when it crashed aboard the carrier U.S.S. Philippine Sea . . . while serving his country.” The date on Ensign Cohn’s letter: Nov. 17. Date of his death: Nov. 18.