Many American service members have gone missing in action or suffered as prisoners of war in the conflicts that have happened throughout the history of the U.S.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day was initiated as the day to commemorate with the families of those service members who never made it home1.

POW/MIAs can be honored any day, but POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed on the third Friday of September each year. On this day, we have the opportunity to support the families of the more than 80,000 veterans captured or still missing from wars that the United States has participated in.

POW/MIA Day was first observed in 1979 after the families of 2,500 Vietnam War POW/MIAs asked the government for more accountability in finding their loved ones2.

During the first ceremony of POW/MIA Day at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., fighter airplanes from the military base in Virginia flew in the 'missing man formation' in their honor, and a remembrance ceremony was held at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Since then, the official observance has been held at the Pentagon, with other celebrations at U.S. military bases.

Congress later established National POW/MIA Recognition Day with the passage of Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act3.

The central idea behind National POW/MIA Recognition Day is the phrase that the flag bears, "You are not forgotten." You can spread this message with one of the following activities:

1. Fly a POW/MIA flag

POW/MIA Day is actually one of six days that Federal Law requires government facilities to fly the POW/MIA Flag4, and the best time to fly your own, too. The Flag Code directs all to fly the POW/MIA flag below that of the United States.

3. Put up a POW/MIA Poster

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency offers a new poster design every year for National POW/MIA Recognition Day5. Order yours now and post it up where all can see!

5. Visit a military museum

Learning about history and the sacrifices our fellow Americans have made to protect freedom is one of the best ways to appreciate and understand the true meaning behind POW/MIA Day6.

7. Listen to veterans

Not every veteran feels comfortable sharing the details of war, but many of those who were there may have a story to tell. There's no better time to listen than on this important day.

9. Take the POW/MIA Day Pledge!

This simple act of acknowledgement will let others know that you remember and respect the great sacrifices our fellow countrymen have made in the name of freedom. They will not be forgotten.

Take the POW/MIA Day Pledge and honor those who never came home from the war!

More on this issue:

1. U.S. Department of Defense, "National POW/MIA Recognition Day."
2. Ashley Ross, Time (16 September 2016), "What You Need to Know About the History of America’s Prisoners of War."
3. govtrack (23 March 1998), "S. 1812 (105th): National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999."
4. National League of POW/MIA Families (2017), "History Of The POW/MIA Flag."
5. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (2022), "National POW/MIA Recognition Day."
6. Museum of Military History (2018), "National POW/MIA Recognition Day."