45 C.F.R. § 505.3 – Definitions applicable under the Act.

Child means:

(1) A natural or adopted son or daughter of a deceased prisoner of war or a deceased civilian prisoner of war or a deceased American citizen including any posthumous son or daughter of such deceased person.
(2) Any son or daughter of a deceased person born out of wedlock will be deemed to be a child of the deceased for the purpose of this Act, if:
1. (i) Legitimated by a subsequent marriage of the parents,
2. (ii) Recognized as a child of the deceased by his or her admission, or
3. (iii) So declared by an order or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction.
  Husband means the surviving male spouse of a deceased prisoner of war or of a deceased civilian American citizen who was married to the deceased at the time of her death by a marriage valid under the applicable law of the place entered into.
  Natural guardian means father and mother who shall be deemed to be the natural guardians of the person of their minor children. If either dies or is incapable of action, the natural guardianship of the person shall devolve upon the other. In the event of death or incapacity of both parents, then the blood relative, paternal or maternal, standing in loco parentis to the minor shall be deemed the natural guardian.
  Parent means:
4. (1)
  1. (i) The natural or adoptive father or mother of a deceased prisoner of war, or any other individual standing in loco parentis to the deceased person for a period of not less than 1 year immediately preceding the date of that person's entry into active service and during at least 1 year of the person's minority. Not more than one mother or one father as defined shall be recognized in any case. An individual will not be recognized as standing in loco parentis if the natural parents or adoptive parents are living, unless there is affirmative evidence of abandonment and renunciation of parental duties and obligations by the natural or adoptive parent or parents prior to entry into active service by the deceased prisoner or war;
  2. (ii) An award in the full amount allowable had the deceased prisoner of war survived may be made to only one parent when it is shown that the other parent has died or if there is affirmative evidence of abandonment and renunciation of parental duties and obligations by the other parent.
5. (2) The father of an illegitimate child will not be recognized as such for purposes of the Act unless evidence establishes that:
  1. (i) He has legitimated the child by subsequent marriage with the mother;
  2. (ii) Recognized the child as his by written admission prior to enlistment of the deceased in the armed forces or entry into an overseas duty status; or
  3. (iii) Prior to death of the child he has been declared by decree of a court of competent jurisdiction to be the father.
    Widow means the surviving female spouse of a deceased prisoner of war or a deceased civilian American citizen who was married to the deceased at the time of his death by marriage valid under the applicable law of the place where entered into.