N.J. Stat. § 38:18-1
As used in this chapter the word "soldier" means and includes any officer, soldier, sailor, marine, airman, nurse or any other person, male or female, regularly enlisted or inducted, who was or shall have been a part of the military or naval forces of the United States, and who took part in any war in which the United States was engaged, or who took part or shall have taken part in the present wars with the governments of Japan, Germany and Italy, or any of them, including any member of the American Merchant Marine who is declared by the United States Department of Defense to be eligible for federal veterans' benefits, or who served or shall have served in the active military or naval service of the United States in time of emergency as herein defined, and who was a resident of this State at the time he was or shall be commissioned, enlisted, inducted, appointed or mustered into the military or naval service of the United States, and who has been or shall have been given an honorable or ordinary discharge or release therefrom, and continues to be a resident of this State.
As used herein the term "in time of emergency" shall mean and include any time after June 23, 1950, and on or prior to January 31, 1955.
N.J.S. § 38:18-1