Rhode Island General Laws Title 30. Military Affairs and Defense § 30-22-2. Merchant marine

(a) All credits, benefits, and privileges, excepting bonuses, granted and bestowed as of December 7, 1941 by the state upon men and women in the armed forces of the United States of America and then enjoyed by those armed forces, shall be extended to include members of the American merchant marine service, who, at the date of enlistment, were legal residents of the state; provided, however, that those members of the American merchant marine service shall have been in service for at least six (6) months, but in the event any member shall meet death before the expiration of that six (6) months of service, he or she shall receive all credits, benefits, and privileges to which he or she would have been entitled by this section had death not intervened in that six-months' service.

(b) All eligible members under this section shall file with the department of veterans affairs for a discharge certificate on forms provided by the department of veterans affairs for that purpose.