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World War II Merchant Mariner Service Act

Introduced: November 20, 2014 Introduced by: Murphy, Christopher Democratic · Connecticut See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 113th Congress ended
It never became law before the 113th Congress (2013–2014) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 30, 2013
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-280.
Jul 24, 2013
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jul 24, 2013
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

World War II Merchant Mariner Service Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to accept additional documentation for verifying that an individual performed honorable service as a coastwise merchant seaman during the period beginning on December 7, 1941, and ending on December 31, 1946, for purposes of eligibility for veterans' benefits under the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977. Requires such documentation to include Social Security Administration (SSA) records and validated testimony in the case of the absence of Coast Guard shipping or discharge forms, ship logbooks, documents, or other official employment records.

Requires the Secretary, when determining whether to recognize service allegedly performed during such period, to recognize masters of seagoing vessels or other command officers who were authorized to document an individual for purposes of hiring for or discharging from the merchant marine.

Considers any service so recognized as active-duty service for purposes of veterans' burial benefits. Makes such veterans eligible for any appropriate military medals, ribbons, and decorations. Requires the Secretary to verify that an individual performed such service under honorable conditions without regard to their sex, age, or disability during the service period.

What's happening now October 30, 2013

Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-280.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 1361: World War II Merchant Mariner Service Act. 113th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/113-S-1361/
MLA
"S. 1361: World War II Merchant Mariner Service Act." 113th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/113-S-1361/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 1361, 113th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/113-S-1361/.
Markdown link
[S. 1361: World War II Merchant Mariner Service Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/113-S-1361/)
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