1. Whenever complaint is made to any commanding officer that willful damage has been done to the property of any person or that the person’s property has been wrongfully taken by members of the state military forces, the person may, subject to such regulations as the governor may prescribe, convene a board to investigate the complaint. The board shall consist of from one to three commissioned officers and, for the purpose of that investigation, it has 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 the board is subject to the approval of the commanding officer, and in the amount approved by the commanding officer shall be charged against the pay of the offenders. The order of the commanding officer directing charges herein authorized is conclusive, except as provided in subsection 3 of this section, on any disbursing officer for the payment by him to the injured parties of the damages so assessed and approved.

2. If the offenders cannot be ascertained, but the organization or detachment to which they belong is known, charges totaling the amount of damages assessed and approved may be paid to the injured parties from the funds of the units of the state military forces to which the offenders belonged.

3. Any person subject to sections 40.005 to 40.490 who is accused of causing willful damage to property has the right to be represented by counsel, to summon witnesses in the person’s behalf, and to cross-examine those appearing against him. The accused has the right of appeal to the next higher commander.