Notwithstanding the provisions of Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 74-4913 to the contrary, if an employee of a participating employer became a member of the Kansas public employees retirement system on January 1, 1962, was first employed by the participating employer on September 1, 1926, was granted military leave without pay commencing in March of 1943, and served with the United States Navy until March, 1946, and upon reporting for duty with the participating employer within the same month and year was requested to take a further leave without pay for the purpose of studying for an advanced degree to return to service with the participating employer on September 1, 1946, and said employee did return to the employ of the participating employer on September 1, 1946, and has been continuously in the service of said participating employer to the effective date of this act, said employee shall be granted prior service credit for said military service.