§ 131.5. Redress of injuries to property. (a) Whenever complaint is
made to any commanding officer that willful damage has been done to the
property of any person or that his property has been wrongfully taken by
members of the organized militia he may, subject to such regulations as
may be prescribed pursuant to this chapter, convene a board to
investigate the complaint. The board shall consist of from one to three
officers and shall have, for the purpose of such investigation, power to
summon witnesses and examine them upon oath or affirmation, to receive
depositions or other documentary evidence, and to assess the damages
sustained against the responsible parties. The assessment of damages
made by such board shall be subject to the approval of the commanding
officer, and in the amount approved by him shall be charged against the
pay of the offenders. The order of such commanding officer directing
charges herein authorized shall be conclusive on any disbursing officer
for the payment by him to the injured parties of the damages so assessed
and approved.

(b) Where the offenders cannot be ascertained, but the organization or
detachment to which they belong is known, the adjutant general may
direct that the amount of damages assessed and approved be paid to the
injured parties from the military fund of the unit or units of the
organized militia to which such offenders belong.