§ 4012. Certificates of service; persons reported missing

• (a) In any proceeding under this chapter, a certificate signed by the Secretary concerned is prima facie evidence as to any of the following facts stated in the certificate:
  • (1) That a person named is, is not, has been, or has not been in military service.
  • (2) The time and the place the person entered military service.
  • (3) The person’s residence at the time the person entered military service.
  • (4) The rank, branch, and unit of military service of the person upon entry.
  • (5) The inclusive dates of the person’s military service.
  • (6) The monthly pay received by the person at the date of the certificate’s issuance.
  • (7) The time and place of the person’s termination of or release from military service, or the person’s death during military service.
• (b) The Secretary concerned shall furnish a certificate under subsection (a) upon receipt of an application for such a certificate. A certificate appearing to be signed by the Secretary concerned is prima facie evidence of its contents and of the signer’s authority to issue it.
• (c) A servicemember who has been reported missing is presumed to continue in service until accounted for. A requirement under this chapter that begins or ends with the death of a servicemember does not begin or end until the servicemember’s death is reported to, or determined by, the Secretary concerned or by a court of competent jurisdiction.