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);
(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, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], § 8505(b)(12), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4752.)