For purposes of this chapter, an individual shall be considered to have engaged in qualified service if, between August 16, 1945, and December 31, 1946, the individual-
(1) was a member of the United States merchant marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) serving as a crewmember of a vessel that was-(A) operated by the War Shipping Administration or the Office of Defense Transportation (or an agent of the Administration or Office);(B) operated in waters other than inland waters, the Great Lakes, and other lakes, bays, and harbors of the United States;(C) under contract or charter to, or property of, the Government of the United States; and(D) serving the Armed Forces; and(2) while so serving, was licensed or otherwise documented for service as a crewmember of such a vessel by an officer or employee of the United States authorized to license or document the individual for such service.Added Pub. L. 105-368, title IV, §402(a), Nov. 11, 1998, 112 Stat. 3336; amended Pub. L. 116-283 title LVXXXV [LXXXV], §8505(b)(12), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4752.EDITORIAL NOTES
AMENDMENTS2021- Pub. L. 116-283 substituted "an individual" for "a person" in introductory provisions and "the individual" for "the person" in introductory provisions and in par. (2).