POW-MIA Flag

There has been only one flag, besides our country's flag, to have flown over the White House in Washington DC. Only one flag displayed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. It is not a flag that represents a country or a state, it is the flag that represents the Prisoners of War or Missing In Action service members.

A symbol for those that have given up their freedom for us. It reminds us that there are military members that have served and they have never returned home. This flag is the POW-MIA Flag.

In 1971 a wife of a U.S. military officer, Mrs. Mary Hoff, thought that a national flag was needed to remind every American of those fates that were never accounted for. Her husband was one listed as missing in action.

Where did the image come from? The design was done by Newt Heisley, a former World War II pilot. Using a pencil, he sketched, what is told to be, his son’s profile, creating the basis for a symbol that would have a powerful impact on the nation. His son had been training in the military and came down with hepatitis, it caused him to become gaunt in his facial structure as though he had spent time behind the barbed wire and in sight of the guard tower that are both pictured. Mr. Heisley wanted to add color to the design if it was accepted, but by the time he found out his was the chosen design they were already printing it out.

In 1979, Congress and President J Carter proclaimed the third Friday of September as the first National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

In 1982, the POW/MIA flag became the only flag, other than the Stars and Stripes, to fly over the White House in Washington, D.C.
On August 10, 1990, Congress passed U.S. Public Law 101-355, designating that the POW-MIA flag was to be the symbol of the nation's concern and commitment to resolve as best it can, the fates of Americans missing or the ones held prisoners.

When the POW-MIA flag is flown on the same staff as the US Flag, it is to be flow directly below the U.S. Flag.
The POW-MIA Flag belongs to everyone, a design that hauntingly reminds us of those we dare not ever forget. Behind the black and white silhouette is a face we can't see...the face of a husband, a father, or a son who has paid with their freedom, for our freedom. Beneath the image are the words....

You Are Not Forgotten

those still missing and unaccounted for:

World War I: 3,350
World War II: 78,750
Korean War: 8,215
Cold War: 124
Southeast Asia:1,742

As this message sat ready to post, a message was received stating Mr. Newt Heisley passed away Thursday May 14, 2009. The image he designed was never copyrighted and Mr. Heisley never financially benefited from the design that has been used on everything from lapel pins to vehicle designs. May Mr. Heisley not be forgotten, just as the flag he designed states of all those missing or prisoners of war.