National POW/MIA Recognition Day

National POW/MIA Recognition Day, observed on September 18, honors American service members who were prisoners of war and those who remain missing in action. It is a time to remember their courage, sacrifice, and service, while recognizing the families and loved ones who have carried their stories forward.

The observance encourages communities to keep these individuals in the nation’s memory and to reflect on the enduring importance of accounting for every service member. Through ceremonies, moments of silence, educational programs, and displays of the POW/MIA flag, people come together to show that those who served—and those still unaccounted for—will never be forgotten.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day honors Americans who were prisoners of war (POWs) and those listed as missing in action (MIAs), as well as their families. Its origins lie in the Vietnam War era, when the fate of captured and missing service members became a major national concern. Families, veterans’ organizations, and public officials pressed the government to maintain efforts to account for those who had not returned and to keep their stories visible.

The observance was formally established by presidential proclamation in 1979 during the administration of President Jimmy Carter. It created a national occasion for recognizing the sacrifices of POWs, remembering service members whose whereabouts remained unknown, and reaffirming the government’s responsibility to seek answers. Over time, National POW/MIA Recognition Day became associated with ceremonies at military installations, government buildings, veterans’ centers, and communities across the United States.

Observed on September 18, the day has evolved beyond remembrance of the Vietnam War. It now encompasses American service members from conflicts including World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and later military operations. Advances in archival research, forensic science, battlefield investigation, and international cooperation have helped identify and repatriate some missing personnel, while many cases remain unresolved.

The observance also carries a powerful cultural meaning through the POW/MIA flag, which features a silhouette of a prisoner, a guard tower, and the words “You Are Not Forgotten.” Displayed at military facilities and public institutions, the flag expresses a continuing national commitment to accountability and remembrance. On September 18, ceremonies and memorial programs emphasize that the absence of a confirmed fate does not diminish a service member’s sacrifice or the importance of supporting families who continue to seek answers.