POW*MIA flag
The National League of Families POW*MIA flag, often referred to as the POW*MIA flag, was adopted in 1972. In 2019, the National POW*MIA Flag Act was signed into law, requiring the POW*MIA flag to be flown on certain federal building, including the US Capitol Building, on all days the US flag is flown.
The flag symbolizes support and care for the soldiers, airmen, and sailors who served the United States in the Vietnam War, especially those who endured capture by the enemy.
The original design for the flag was created in 1971 by Newt Heisley. It consists of a silhouette of a POW before a guard tower and barbed wire in white on a black background. 'POW*MIA' appears above the silhouette and the words 'YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN' appear below in white.
The idea for the flag came from Mary Hoff, a member of the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, and the wife of US Navy Lt. Commander Michael Hoff, a serviceman missing in action.
When displayed from a single flagpole, the POW*MIA flag should fly directly below, and be no larger than, the US flag. If on separate poles, the U.S. flag should always be placed to the right of other flags. The POW/MIA flag is generally flown as second in order of precedence.
In the US Armed Forces dining and mess halls a single table and chair in a corner is draped with the flag as a symbol for the missing, thus reserving a chair in hopes of their return.
POW*MIA flag
The National League of Families POW*MIA flag, often referred to as the POW*MIA flag, was adopted in 1972. In 2019, the National POW*MIA Flag Act was signed into law, requiring the POW*MIA flag to be flown on certain federal building, including the US Capitol Building, on all days the US flag is flown.
The flag symbolizes support and care for the soldiers, airmen, and sailors who served the United States in the Vietnam War, especially those who endured capture by the enemy.
The original design for the flag was created in 1971 by Newt Heisley. It consists of a silhouette of a POW before a guard tower and barbed wire in white on a black background. 'POW*MIA' appears above the silhouette and the words 'YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN' appear below in white.
The idea for the flag came from Mary Hoff, a member of the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, and the wife of US Navy Lt. Commander Michael Hoff, a serviceman missing in action.
When displayed from a single flagpole, the POW*MIA flag should fly directly below, and be no larger than, the US flag. If on separate poles, the U.S. flag should always be placed to the right of other flags. The POW/MIA flag is generally flown as second in order of precedence.
In the US Armed Forces dining and mess halls a single table and chair in a corner is draped with the flag as a symbol for the missing, thus reserving a chair in hopes of their return.