Anastasia --

The word 'deserted' means that Corell's company commander couldn't explain his absence and Cordell's exact whereabouts were unknown. He was considered absent without leave, a serious military offense. That would be the reason.

Ordinarily military records do not include names of other family members. However, the next of kin could file a claim with military authorities if a soldier died in service. The person making the claim had to prove that they were next of kin, that the soldier belonged to a particular military unit. Once that was done, the War Department provided information about the date of death and the amount of money owed the deceased soldier.

If the soldier died and wasn't married, these papers might be in his service file.