What is National Former POW Recognition Day?

April 9
U.S. National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day observed annually on April 9 recognizes and honors the courageous prisoners of war (POW) and those who are still missing in action (MIA).

Who established POW MIA Day and when is it observed?

POW/MIA Recognition Day is commemorated on the third Friday of every September, a date that’s not associated with any particular war. In 1979, Congress and the president passed resolutions making it official after the families of the more than 2,500 Vietnam War POW/MIAs pushed for full accountability.

Is there a national MIA Day?

In the United States, the third Friday in September honors National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Each year since 1989, a presidential proclamation brings the nation together to remember and honor the members of the Armed Forces who remain missing in action or are prisoners of war.

When was POW MIA Day established?

1979
National POW/MIA Recognition Day was established in 1979 through a proclamation signed by President Jimmy Carter. Since then, each subsequent president has issued an annual proclamation commemorating the third Friday in September as National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

What year was the POW MIA flag created?

The National League of Families POW/MIA flag, often referred to as the POW/MIA flag, was adopted in 1972 and consists of the official emblem of the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia in white on a black background.

Are there still POWS in Vietnam 2020?

Then as of December 21, 2018, the number of U.S. military and civilian personnel still unaccounted for is 1,592. By February 7, 2020, this number had been reduced a little further, to 1,587.

Are there any POWS right now?

According to the Pentagon’s Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office, there are currently 83,204 unaccounted for U.S. personnel, including 73,547 from World War II, 7,883 from the Korean War, 126 from the Cold War, 1,642 from the Vietnam War, and six from Iraq and other recent conflicts, including three Defense …

How many MIA are still missing?

Our research and operational missions include coordination with hundreds of countries and municipalities around the world. As this map shows, at present, more than 81,600 Americans remain missing from WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and the Gulf Wars/other conflicts.

Who can fly a POW flag?

Civilians are free to fly the POW/MIA flag whenever they wish, and it is commonly flown in front of police stations, fire stations and veterans’ organizations across the United States.

Why is the POW MIA flag black and white?

Formally known as the POW/MIA flag, the solemn black-and-white banner originally stood as a tribute to the troops who fought in Vietnam and remain missing or unaccounted for. Today, it is also a symbol of all those who still haven’t come home from other conflicts, as well.