Every officer or employee not holding his office, position or employment for a fixed term or period, upon entering the armed forces of the United States in time of war for the duration thereof, or for less period, shall be granted leave of absence until such time as he shall be honorably discharged from such service, and shall not be discharged or separated from his office, position or employment by reason of his entry into such service. Such leave of absence may be granted with or without pay as provided by law. Such officer or employee shall be entitled to resume the office, position or employment held by him at the time of entrance into such service, at any time within 3 months after receiving honorable discharge, provided he is not then incapacitated. If he be incapacitated at the time of such discharge, he shall be entitled to resume his office, position or employment at any time within 3 months after complete recovery therefrom, provided such complete recovery is within 2 years after his discharge. Upon resumption of his office, position or employment by such officer or employee, the service of the person temporarily filling said office, position or employment shall immediately cease. If such officer or employee is one of a number of equal rank or like character, the person last appointed to fill any such office, position or employment shall be dismissed and placed upon a special eligible list, which list shall take precedence over all other lists and shall be entitled to reinstatement in the same office or employment as soon as any vacancy shall occur.

L.1971, c. 200, s. 1, eff. July 1, 1971.