Section 246. Leave of absence for public employees who are war veterans to continue study

Notwithstanding the  provisions  of  any  law  to  the
  contrary,  every  public  officer  and employee, who served in the armed
  forces of the United States on or after  September  sixteenth,  nineteen
  hundred  forty, and prior to the termination of hostilities in world war
  II, or during the period of hostilities engaged in by the  armed  forces
  of  the  United  States on and after June twenty-fifth, nineteen hundred
  fifty, or who served in the armed forces  of  the  United  States  after
  January  thirty-first,  nineteen hundred fifty-five, and who is eligible
  under the provisions enacted by the congress of the United States  known
  as  "Servicemen's  Readjustment  Act of nineteen hundred forty-four," or
  "Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of nineteen  hundred  fifty-two,"
  or  "Veterans' Readjustment Benefits Act of nineteen hundred sixty-six,"
  to continue the pursuit of studies or to take a refresher or  retraining
  course  shall  be  granted  a leave of absence from his position for the
  period of such course of study, not to exceed four years.   Such  public
  officer  or  employee  shall  be  reinstated to his position provided he
  makes application for such reinstatement within  sixty  days  after  the
  termination of such course of study.