The POW/MIA flag originated during the Vietnam War as a symbol honoring American service members who were prisoners of war (POW) or missing in action (MIA).
The flag was designed in 1971 by Newt Heisley, a commercial artist from New Jersey. Heisley created the design at the request of Mary Hoff, whose husband, Navy pilot Michael Hoff, was missing in action in Vietnam. The design featured a white disc containing the silhouette of a man's head, a watchtower, and barbed wire, along with the words “YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN.”
The flag quickly became a powerful symbol of the Vietnam-era effort to account for missing and captured American personnel. It was adopted and promoted by the National League of POW/MIA Families, which continues to use the design.
Today, the POW/MIA flag is displayed at many military installations, government buildings, veterans' organizations, and public locations throughout the United States. Its central message, “You Are Not Forgotten,” honors those who served and emphasizes the nation's commitment to remembering Americans who remain unaccounted for.
For collectors and history enthusiasts, the POW/MIA flag represents an important chapter in American military history and the enduring commitment to remembering prisoners of war and those still missi