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POW/MIA Recognition Day / We Remember

In the United States, National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed on the third Friday in September. It honors those who were prisoners of war (POWs) and those who are still missing in action (MIA).

September 20, 2024

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) plays a crucial role in identifying and accounting for American service members still missing in action (MIA). As of May 2020, the agency reported that 81,900 Americans were still unaccounted for. The breakdown of these numbers is as follows:

  • World War II: 72,598 MIAs
  • Korean War: 7,580 MIAs
  • Vietnam War: 1,587 MIAs
  • Cold War: 126 MIAs
  • Conflicts since 1991: 6 MIAs