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.

Requires service in the United States Merchant Marine of an individual who served as a crew member of a vessel that was in oceangoing service during the Vietnam Era in the Southeast Asia theater of operations and who receives a certificate of honorable discharge under this Act to be considered to be active duty in determining the individual's eligibility for veterans benefits.

Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD), upon application, to issue a certificate of honorable discharge to such an individual who engaged in service of a nature and duration that warrants such certificate in accordance with standards under the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977.