POW-MIA movement

A U.S. campaign focused on the treatment of prisoners of war (POWs) in Communist captivity and the whereabouts of those classified as missing in action (MIA). It dates to President Richard M. Nixon's first years in office, during the Vietnam War. From 1970 to 1972 Nixon encouraged the growth of the movement by contending that during peace talks the North Vietnamese were uncooperative and evasive on the POW-MIA issue. The POW-MIA flag, which was flown over many state capitols during the 1980s, shows a silhouette of a man in front of barbed wire and a guard tower, with the words 'POW-MIA' and 'You are not forgotten.'

See the Introduction, Abbreviations and Pronunciation for further details.