Any employee of an employer participating in the system shall receive retirement credit, subject to the limitations of this chapter, for the period of employment with the participating employer prior to July 1, 1946, and for employment in any branch or department of the United States Government, and for military service in the Armed Forces of the United States, as though the person had been an employee of the participating employer throughout such period of employment or service, if within 40 days from and after separation from such civilian employment with the United States Government, or within one year after being otherwise than dishonorably discharged from military service in the Armed Forces of the United States, the person returned to the employment of the participating employer from which the person was transferred or loaned, provided that such employee comes within either of the following descriptions:
ORS 238.160