The POW/MIA Flag: What It Means and Why It Flies

You've seen the black and white flag flying below the Stars and Stripes at courthouses, VFW halls, and post offices across the country. The silhouette of a bowed head. The watchtower. The barbed wire. And five words at the bottom: YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN.

The POW/MIA flag is one of the most recognized symbols in America, and it carries a weight that most flags don't. It's not about a state or a branch of service. It represents the men and women who never came home from war and the families still waiting for answers.

Here's the full story behind the flag, how it became the only flag besides the Stars and Stripes authorized to fly over the White House, and how you can display it at your own home.

What the POW/MIA Flag Means

The design is simple, and that's the point. Every element on the flag tells part of the story.

The silhouette shows a man with a bowed head, representing the prisoners of war held in captivity. Behind him, a watchtower and barbed wire stand for the prison camps where American servicemembers were held. The white disc and black background create high contrast, designed to stand out from a distance. And at the bottom, five words: YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN. That's the whole reason the flag exists. It tells POWs and MIAs and their families that America hasn't moved on without them.

The flag doesn't represent one war. It covers every conflict where American servicemembers were captured or went missing, from World War II through the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

81,600+ Americans still unaccounted for from past conflicts, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). More than 81,000 families still don't have closure.

The History Behind the POW/MIA Flag

The POW/MIA flag didn't exist before 1971. For decades, prisoners of war and missing servicemembers had no dedicated symbol. That changed because of one woman who refused to let the issue be forgotten.

Mary Hoff was a member of the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia. Her husband, Navy Lieutenant Commander Michael Hoff, was listed as missing in action in Laos in 1970. Mary pushed the league to create a symbol that would keep public pressure on the government to account for every missing American.

The league hired Newt Heisley, a World War II veteran and advertising professional, to design the flag. Heisley based the silhouette on his own son, Jeffrey, who was ill and had lost a lot of weight at the time. The gaunt profile captured exactly what Heisley imagined a prisoner of war would look like.

The flag debuted in 1972 and took off fast. Within a year, it was flying at VA hospitals, military installations, and government buildings across the country. It became the symbol of a movement that demanded accountability from Washington.

How the Flag Became Official

The POW/MIA flag didn't stay a grassroots symbol for long. Congress took notice.

1	1990: Congressional Recognition Congress passed Public Law 101-355, officially recognizing the POW/MIA flag as the symbol of America's commitment to resolving the fates of missing servicemembers.
2	1998: Mandatory Display Days Section 1082 of the National Defense Authorization Act required the POW/MIA flag to fly at major federal buildings and national cemeteries on six specific days each year.
3	2019: Every Single Day The National POW/MIA Flag Act (Public Law 116-67) expanded the requirement. The flag now flies at prominent federal locations every day, not just six. This made it the only flag other than the American flag authorized to fly over the White House.

That 2019 law passed the Senate unanimously. Zero opposition. In a Congress that can't agree on much, honoring POWs and MIAs had unanimous support.

When and Where the POW/MIA Flag Flies

Since the 2019 law, the POW/MIA flag flies daily at the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the World War II Memorial, every national cemetery, every VA medical center, every post office, and all major military installations.

These six days are still the most prominent display occasions. Many private citizens and businesses choose to fly the POW/MIA flag on these dates too.

Featured Product No One Fights Alone Tee A tribute to the men and women who served and the families who waited. Built for patriots who keep the promise: you are not forgotten. Shop Now →

How to Display the POW/MIA Flag at Home

There's no federal law governing how private citizens display the POW/MIA flag, but there are widely accepted guidelines based on military tradition and the U.S. Flag Code.

No permit or military affiliation is required. Any private citizen can fly the POW/MIA flag at their home or business.

Featured Product Because of the Brave Tee Land of the free because of the brave. Honor the sacrifice of those who served, those who were captured, and those who never came home. Shop Now →

Common Misconceptions About the POW/MIA Flag

The POW/MIA flag has been around for over 50 years, and a few myths have stuck. Here's what people get wrong.

MISCONCEPTION 01

"The flag is only about Vietnam"

The POW/MIA flag was created during the Vietnam War era, but it represents every conflict. Over 72,000 of those 81,600 unaccounted-for Americans are from World War II. The flag covers every war and military operation since.

MISCONCEPTION 02

"It's just a protest flag"

The flag started as advocacy, but it's now enshrined in federal law. It flies at the White House. Every member of Congress voted for it. Calling it a protest flag misses 50 years of history.

MISCONCEPTION 03

"You need permission to fly it"

Any private citizen can fly the POW/MIA flag at their home or business. No permit or military affiliation required. The only rules are etiquette guidelines for displaying it alongside the American flag.

MISCONCEPTION 04

"The silhouette is based on a specific POW"

Newt Heisley modeled the silhouette on his own son, not a specific prisoner of war. His son was ill at the time, and Heisley used his gaunt profile to capture what he imagined captivity looked like.

The real story behind the flag is more personal than most people realize. It was born out of one family's fight to bring their loved one home, and it grew into a national promise.

If you're looking for more on American flag history and display rules, check out our Complete U.S. Flag Code Guide, our deep dive on the Thin Blue Line flag, or our guide to flying the American flag with other flags.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does POW/MIA stand for?

POW stands for Prisoner of War. MIA stands for Missing in Action. Together, they represent American servicemembers who were captured by enemy forces or whose fate is unknown after a military conflict.

Can I fly the POW/MIA flag at my house?

Yes. Any citizen can fly the POW/MIA flag at their home or business. When displayed with the American flag on the same pole, the American flag goes on top. On separate poles, place the POW/MIA flag to the American flag's left (viewer's right).

What is National POW/MIA Recognition Day?

National POW/MIA Recognition Day falls on the third Friday of September each year. It's one of six days originally designated for mandatory display of the POW/MIA flag at federal buildings, and it's still the biggest annual observance for prisoners of war and missing servicemembers.

Who designed the POW/MIA flag?

Newt Heisley, a World War II veteran and advertising designer, created the flag in 1971-1972 for the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia.

How many American servicemembers are still unaccounted for?

As of 2024, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) lists over 81,600 Americans as unaccounted for from past conflicts. The majority (over 72,000) are from World War II.

Is the POW/MIA flag the only flag besides the American flag that flies over the White House?

Yes. The National POW/MIA Flag Act of 2019 made the POW/MIA flag the only flag other than the Stars and Stripes permanently authorized to fly over the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and other prominent federal sites.

Honor Those Who Never Came Home Show your support for America's POWs and MIAs. No One Fights Alone Tee → Because of the Brave Tee →