# § 1477. Preferences for veterans and families of deceased servicemen
June 27, 1950January 31, 1955August 4, 1964section 101(29) of title 38June 27, 1950January 31, 1955August 4, 1964section 101(29) of title 38
As between eligible applicants seeking assistance under sections 1471 to 1474, inclusive, of this title, the Secretary shall give preference to veterans and the families of deceased servicemen. As used herein, a “veteran” shall mean a person who served in the military forces of the United States during any war between the United States and any other nation or during the period beginning , and ending on such date as shall be determined by Presidential proclamation or concurrent resolution of Congress, or during the period beginning after , and ending on , or during the Vietnam era (as defined in ), and who was discharged or released therefrom on conditions other than dishonorable. “Deceased servicemen” shall mean persons who served in the military forces of the United States during any war between the United States and any other nation or during the period beginning , and ending on such date as shall be determined by Presidential proclamation or concurrent resolution of Congress, or during the period beginning after , and ending on , or during the Vietnam era (as defined in ), and who died in service before the termination of such war or such period or era.
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**Source Credit**: (July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 507, 63 Stat. 435; June 30, 1953, ch. 174, § 3, 67 Stat. 132; Pub. L. 87–70, title VIII, § 804(b)(2), June 30, 1961, 75 Stat. 188; Pub. L. 93–383, title V, § 507, Aug. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 694.)
## Editorial Notes
### Amendments
1974— inserted references to the period beginning after and ending on , or during the Vietnam era wherever appearing therein.
1961— substituted “under sections 1471 to 1474, inclusive, of this title” for “under this subchapter.”
1953—Act , enlarged the definition of “veteran” and “deceased servicemen” to include members of the armed forces who have served during the Korean conflict.
## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
### Continuation of Provisions
Joint Res. , , as amended by Joint Res. , , provided that qualification period should continue in force until six months after the termination of the national emergency proclaimed by the President on by 1950 Proc. No. 2914, 15 F.R. 9029, set out as a note preceding , War and National Defense, or such earlier date or dates as may be provided for by Congress, but in no event beyond . Section 7 of Joint Res. , provided that it should become effective .
### Repeal of Prior Acts Continuing Section
Section 6 of Joint Res. , repealed Joint Res. , , as amended by Joint Res. , ; Joint Res. , ; Joint Res. , , which continued provisions until . This repeal took effect as of , by section 7 of Joint Res. .
## Executive Documents
### Period of Service in Military Forces
Proc. No. 3080, , 20 F.R. 173, fixed , as the date ending the period during which persons must have served in the military forces in order that such persons come within the meaning of the terms “veteran” and “deceased servicemen”, contained in this section, by reason of service during the period beginning .