On January 19, 1988, the Secretary of the Air Force, Edward C. Aldridge, Jr., determined that the service of the "American Merchant Marine in Oceangoing Service during the Period of Armed Conflict, December 7, 1941, to August 15, 1945," shall be considered "active duty" under the provisions of Public Law 95-202 for the purposes of laws administered by the Veterans Administration. Although technically not part of the United States Merchant Marine, Civil Service vessels in ocean going service or foreign waters are also included as part of this approved group.

On Veterans Day, 1998, President Clinton signed Public Law 105-368. A provision of this law states that service during the period, August 16, 1945, to December 31, 1946, shall be considered active duty for the purpose of eligibility for certain limited veterans benefits. This law also requires that the Coast Guard collect a $30 processing fee for each application.

To qualify and become eligible for veterans benefits, a member must not only have served within either of the two qualifying periods mentioned above, but also meet the following eligibility criteria:

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…
   
   
   1. operated by the War Shipping Administration or the Office of Defense Transportation (or an agent of the Administration or Office);
      
      
   2. operated in waters other than inland waters, the great Lakes, and other lakes, bays, and harbors of the United States;
      
      
   3. under contract or charter to, or property of, the Government of the United States; and
      
      
   4. serving the Armed Forces.
      
      
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 person for such service.

Before you can receive veterans benefits, you must first submit a DD Form 2168. This form is available from Veterans Administration Offices, Merchant Marine veterans organizations, and from the offices listed below. A copy of DD Form 2168 can also be downloaded from this web site and printed by clicking here.

For Merchant Marine:

For Army Transport Service:

For Naval Transportation Service:

The following is a step-by-step instruction on how to prepare your DD Form 2168. (If you do not have a copy of this form, clicking here to download and print a copy.

DD Form 2168

1. GROUP MEMBER PERSONAL DATA
   1. Members Name
      1. Full name
      2. If applicable
   2. Present Address
   3. Social Security Number
   4. Date of Birth
   
   
   
2. SERVICE GROUP DATA TO SUPPORT CLAIM
   5. Name of Group Served With – MERCHANT MARINE
   6. Identification Number – (Z Number or Book Number if applicable)
   7. Highest Grade/Rank/Rating Held – N/A
   8. Highest Pay Grade – N/A
   9. Entry Into Service
      1. Date – (if known)
      2. Place – (if known)
   10. Actual Military Service Before/After this Service
       1. Dates – N/A
       2. Department(s) – N/A
   11. Home of Record at Time of Entry – (Address at time entered in Merchant Marine)
   12. Grade/Rank/Rating at Time of Entry – N/A
   13. Installation Where Ordered to Report – (if known)
   14. Specialty/Job Title(s) – N/A
   15. Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Campaign Ribbons Awarded/Authorized
   16. Termination of Group Service
       1. Type of Termination – DISCHARGE
       2. Reason – END OF CONFLICT
       3. Station Base/Location – N/A
       4. Service Command Affiliation – N/A
       5. Date Service Terminated – LAST DATE ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1946 THAT A CERTIFICATE OF DISCHARGE WAS RECEIVED.
   
   
   
3. APPLICATION INFORMATION
   17. Relationship to Applicant – (X in proper block)
   18. Applicant
       1. Full name
       2. Social Security Number
       3. Telephone Number (include area code)
       4. Date signed
       5. Mailing address
       6. Signature of Applicant
   
   
   
4. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION
   19. Release of Record Authorization Statement
       1. Signature of Applicant
       2. Date signed