WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) announced the reintroduction of their World War II Merchant Mariner Service Act, legislation that would direct the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to accept additional documentation when considering the application for veteran status of members of the U.S. Merchant Marine who served in World War II.

For years, members of the U.S. Merchant Marine were not officially recognized as veterans. That changed in 1987 when a federal court ruled that members of the U.S. Merchant Marine who could prove they served in World War II would be considered veterans. Many of those individuals, however, do not have the necessary documents currently needed to obtain that recognition. The World War II Merchant Mariner Service Act would make it easier for merchant seamen to prove that they served during World War II.

“U.S. Merchant Mariners played a critical role supporting our troops during World War II, but many of them never received formal military documents proving their service. It’s important to recognize the contributions of all those who have selflessly served our country and pass this legislation into law,” said Murphy.

“In World War II, Merchant Mariners ventured into dangerous waters to ensure the Allies had the equipment, personnel, and supplies required to successfully execute their missions. Thousands of these brave mariners died in service to their country,” said Collins. “This bipartisan legislation recognizes the contributions of these men and women and helps them receive the veteran status they have rightfully earned.”

Blumenthal said, “These heroes of WWII deserve full honor. Long overdue for many WWII merchant marines is proper recognition of their courage, service and well-deserved veteran status. Shuttling personnel, supplies and equipment through dangerous waters, the Merchant Mariners of WWII played a critical role in defeating the Axis Powers and winning the war. Like other veterans of the war, these men and women braved enemy submarines, mines, kamikaze attacks and were taken prisoner in combat, earning veteran status in the process. This bill expands methods of determining eligibility for veteran status, simplifying a process that too often required old, rare, or even nonexistent documentation.”