Veterans Benefits: Merchant Seamen (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Revised May 8, 2009 |
| Report Number |
RL33992 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Christine Scott, Specialist in Social Policy; Douglas Reid Weimer, Legislative Attorney |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
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. [...]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. The report will be updated as needed for additional information and legislative changes.
