Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 12 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (137 download)
Book Synopsis Veterans Benefits by :
Download or read book Veterans Benefits written by and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 12 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Seamen of the U.S. merchant marine contributed to the World War II effort through the transportation of goods, materials, and personnel to the various theaters of war. However, they were civilians and not members of the U.S. Armed Forces. As a result at the end of the war they did not receive the benefits granted to members of the U.S. Armed Forces. In the years after the war, Congress held hearings on legislation introduced that would have either expanded benefits then currently available to merchant seamen, or provided benefits comparable to those provided in the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 (The GI Bill or GI Bill of Rights, P.L. 78-346). None of the legislation introduced was passed by Congress. The GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-202) recognized the service of one group of civilians, the Women's Air Forces Service Pilots, as active service for benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In addition, P.L. 95-202 provided that the Secretary of Defense could determine that service for the Armed Forces by a group of civilians, or contractors, be considered active service for benefits administered by the VA. Following litigation, the Secretary of the Air Force determined on January 19, 1988, that the service of the American Merchant Marine in Oceangoing Service during the period December 7, 1941, to August 15, 1945, is considered "active duty" for the purposes of all laws administered by the VA if the merchant seamen met certain criteria. Since then, certain merchant seamen have been eligible for the same benefits administered by the VA as veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. However, some merchant seamen are advocating for a monthly payment because benefits were not provided until years after World War II. This report will provide a brief overview of seamen of the U.S. merchant marine (merchant seamen or merchant mariners) and World War II, post-war efforts for benefits for merchant seamen, the efforts by merchant seamen for recognition under P.L. 95-202, and legislation introduced in the 110th Congress.
