To provide eligibility for veterans benefits for individuals who served in the United States merchant marine in the Southeast Asia theater of operations during the Vietnam Era.

Considers as active duty service, for purposes of eligibility for veterans' benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs, service of an individual in the U.S. merchant marine who: (1) served as a crewmember of a vessel that was in oceangoing service during the Vietnam Era in the Southeast Asia theater of operations; and (2) received a certificate of honorable discharge. Makes such eligibility retroactive as of the last date of such service.